The Impact of the Wharf Strike on Our Production Capacity

The past few months have been incredibly challenging for our production team, primarily due to the prolonged wharf strike that has significantly impacted our capacity. Since early December last year, we have faced a substantial bottleneck, with essential materials, particularly glass, sitting idle on the wharves. This impasse has left us frustrated and feeling helpless, as the unions have steadfastly refused to release any goods from the docks, all while demanding higher wages.

Our operations were brought to an almost complete halt, with programmed jobs piling up in the system, awaiting the crucial materials to proceed. The continuous delay tested our resilience and patience, as we watched our factory remain dormant, unable to fulfill orders or maintain our production schedule. This strike has been a stark reminder of how external factors can severely disrupt our carefully planned processes.

However, amidst this adversity, we received a much-awaited glimmer of hope yesterday—the glass finally arrived. With the materials in hand, our team wasted no time in cutting and processing the glass, swiftly moving the first batch of the backlog down to the furnace for toughening. The sight of our factory roaring back to life was both a relief and a testament to our team's dedication and readiness to overcome obstacles.

This experience has undeniably been an exercise in futility and frustration, one we fervently hope never to encounter again. Nevertheless, it has also highlighted the importance of our clients' patience and understanding during such turbulent times. Their support has been invaluable, allowing us to navigate through this period with a sense of solidarity and determination.

As we resume full production, we are committed to ensuring that any future disruptions are minimised and that our operations remain as seamless as possible. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our clients for their unwavering patience and assure them that we have emerged from this challenge stronger and more resilient.

Thank you for standing by us. Here’s to a future where we continue to thrive together, undeterred by unforeseen hurdles.

Finally, I can say (albeit a bit late) Happy New Year - welcome to 2025. Here’s another image from the top of Quarry Hill from just before sunrise the other day.

Quarry Hill sunrise 4 Feb 2025