The Remelt went back online this morning (Friday) without incident. The extrusion plant expects to resume extrusion operations tomorrow (Saturday), with limited crews working over the weekend.

Having sustained severe damage, the office area has relocated to an off-site location. With no phone service, the plant is asking everyone to retrieve updates online at www.hydro.com/northamerica.

Customers have been notified, and to the plant’s appreciation, have been very supportive. Monett’s managing team has prioritized orders for the restart and once production schedules are finalized, will notify customers when to expect materials.

“We will be communicating updates via the internet so that customers, suppliers and Hydro personnel are up-to-date with our recovery actions,” said Rhonda Wright, Regional vice president – Central region.

“We were fortunate,” added Wright. “Had the tornado hit one hour later, the offices would have been fully occupied, and we would likely have suffered injuries. The Monett team is truly doing an outstanding job organizing the response to this incident. And as we rebuild the offices we will be focusing on “doing it right” – creating energy efficient, modern facilities with enhanced storm safety in mind, rather than rebuilding what was there.”

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UPDATE: (May 21, 2010)

Phone and computer service have been restored to Monett.  To regain production hours lost during the storm, the plant has deployed overtime and additional shifts to ensure your needs will be met in a timely fashion.

"We want to thank you so very much for your patience and well wishes during our time of crisis," said Rhonda Wright, Vice-president – central region. "Our administrative offices were destroyed but thankfully, no one was injured."

Until the plant is able to rebuild a more modern, eco-friendly office area, staff will work from a mobile office located at the plant.