– ensures no job losses

Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) has announced the successful resumption of production at several of its facilities following a fire at its power station on September 27, 2024. The fire, which originated from a generator in the power station, caused extensive damage but was swiftly contained, thanks to the combined efforts of DDL’s firefighting team and the Guyana Fire Service.

As of Wednesday, DDL confirmed that its TOPCO plant, responsible for producing Topco fruit juices and Savannah milk products, is fully operational. The Wines and Spirits plant is operating at partial capacity, while the non-alcoholic beverage plant is expected to be back in full production by the weekend. DDL is also working to restart its distillery as soon as possible.

According to initial investigations, the fire started in one of the seven generators housed in the power station. This specific generator had recently undergone scheduled maintenance by the equipment supplier. The fire quickly spread, engulfing the entire power station and affecting all generators and the building itself. The power station previously supplied all the energy required to operate DDL’s complex.
Despite the fire’s rapid spread, emergency services were able to limit the damage to the power station. The fire did not affect any other parts of the facility, including the key production areas. DDL emphasized that no jobs were lost due to the fire, and the swift resumption of operations has ensured the continued employment of all staff.

The quick return to full production at the TOPCO plant also prevented any disruptions in the purchase of products from local fruit farmers, ensuring that the supply chain remains intact. DDL is actively working with its resellers across the country to minimize losses caused by temporary stock shortages.
DDL’s management team expressed gratitude to the Guyana Fire Service, which played a critical role in containing the fire, and the Guyana Police Force for providing security during the operation. They also thanked Guyana Power and Light for promptly restoring electricity to the site.

Most importantly, there were no reported injuries to DDL staff or firefighters during the firefighting efforts, thanks to adherence to best practices throughout the operation.
The company has assured its customers and stakeholders that it is committed to minimizing any disruptions and is focused on fully restoring production as soon as possible.