NEWS ALERT: Fire destroys the Aranyik stainless steel producer workshop
Dear loyal customer of ThaiCraft,
ThaiCraft was notified on 3 January 2008 that an accidental fire had destroyed most of the Aranyik Producer Group workshop over the New Year period. The cause of the fire is thought to be the result of sparks from a fire set in the neighbouring rice paddy (an annual exercise by many rice farmers in Thailand) to prepare the land for the next planting season.
The main damage was caused to the section of the workshop which was constructed in the traditional way, using wooden structural beams and straw / teak leaves as thatching. The part of the workshop constructed with steel and concrete has sustained less damage, although the showroom (on the rice paddy side of the workshop) was completely obliterated (also due to the room being used to store packaging materials). Fortunately, the adjoining residence was saved, thanks to local community members’ efforts.
Preliminary estimates put the total amount of damage to the structure, equipment and machinery, raw materials and finished products at about 1.5 million Baht. As is fairly common in Thailand, the workshop is not insured. Therefore, we have requested the leaders of Aranyik to make a full inventory of the damage, carefully noting what can be salvaged / repaired / re-used and what is totally destroyed. Based on these figures, we will immediately begin a fundraising campaign to begin collecting funds to assist the Aranyik Producer Group with reconstruction efforts (details about this campaign will be available soon).
Turning misfortune into opportunity, our collective intention is to develop this workshop into a model setup, especially in terms of environment, health and safety, and where other Producer Groups will be able to come to learn about the necessary changes that need to be made in their own workshops to ensure the best working conditions for their workers.
In the meantime, Aranyik (with the assistance of the local community) has actively begun cleaning up operations of the affected area and is resuming production of its well-known high quality stainless steel products in the unaffected section of the workshop, together with two temporary shelters in the neighbouring plot of land. We ask, however, for your patience and understanding over the next few weeks until production levels resume to those prior to the fire.
If you and/or your organization would like to contribute funding to help Aranyik, please get in touch with the ThaiCraft Association immediately for further details, via email tca@thaicraft.org or telephone +66 (0)2 676 0630 ext. 310.
Kind regards,
Bryan Hugill
Development Manager
The ThaiCraft Association
Background information about Aranyik
In the middle of rice fields, near a small village by the banks of a meandering tree-lined river, to find a community of steel forgers comes as something of a surprise, especially as their product is so modern and well-finished. This high-grade stainless steel tableware owes its origin to ancient times when Siamese kings fought huge battles on elephants against the invading Burmese. It is hand-forged and beaten by smiths of the same community who provided weapons to the royal army in Ayutthaya and their tools and processes have not changed much over the centuries.
Today, their classically modern designs and finishing quality present a rare opportunity to own and use dining utensils caringly and individually handmade. Little wonder that this group’s products remain some of the most popular among regular customers at ThaiCraft Fairs. |
