'A phoenix from the ashes': Italian dairy giant Granarolo celebrates grand Willenhall reopening nearly three years after 'horrific' blaze
A new £10 million Willenhall based distribution warehouse has been opened by Granarolo UK, marking a new beginning for a site destroyed in a fire almost three years ago.
Dignitaries joined staff and bosses of the UK arm of leading Italian milk and dairy producer Granarolo S.p.A. at cut the ribbon-cutting ceremony at its new distribution warehouse in Stringes Lane, Willenhall.
The Midland Chilled Foods warehouse was gutted by a devastating fire in January 2023, with more than 50 firefighters helping to tackle the blaze.
More than 70 per cent of the building was destroyed, leading to the remnants of the 3,200 sq ft site being bulldozed and around 100 staff members being displaced into an alternative, temporary warehouse.
But now, in what has been compared to a "phoenix rising from the ashes" Midlands Chilled Foods parent company Granarolo UK has cut the ribbon on its new and improved £10m distribution site, erected on the the destroyed warehouse.
In a grand opening event, attended by Walsall Council leader Councillor Mike Bird and Walsall Mayor Councillor Louise Harrison, as well as First Secretary of the Embassy of Italy in London Francesco Badde, and members of Granarolo S.p.A. Italy, we were given a first look at the new and improved site.
'This is a testament to the people'
The new building painted a strong contrast to the ruin that stood there after the fire in January of 2023.
