Pollmeier Recovers from fire
stronger than ever

In February 2008 a fire broke out in Pollmeier's flooring mill and destroyed over 60% of the company's manufacturing facilities. Saw blades ignited sparks as they cut through metal shrapnel embedded in raw lumber. The sparks then flew into the mill's filter system and started the fire.

Although metal detectors are deployed throughout the company's manufacturing facilities, tiny slivers of metal result from flying bomb fragments of both world wars went undetected, setting off a highly destructive chain of events. Pollmeier's strict forest management policy means that only mature, 80- to 200-year-old trees are hand selected for harvest. Because of this, most of the beech trees used by Pollmeier were standing during both world wars.

Pollmeier had already begun installing a new floor production line at the time of the blaze, but because the existing production line had been kept in place, production could continue, but finishing could not.
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Pollmeier emerges from fire
stronger than ever

Varnish processing temporarily shifted to Canada
The vast majority of Pollmeier's manufacturing processes is running better than ever now. In fact, Pollmeier´s varnish production line was the only total loss. As a result, Pollmeier temporarily shifted varnishing operations to one of their trusted partners in Canada. However, Pollmeier´s facility used an alternative high-quality varnishing system, which caused slight variances in final finish appearance. This is because Pollmeier applies a water-soluble stain that undergoes a drying phase – a process that highlights the wood's grain and structure for a brilliant finish.

Pollmeier´s new flooring and varnish production lines now consist of machines from Canada, the United States and Germany. They are installed and have just begun operation resulting in finished surfaces with even greater quality and precision. New stock is on its way. < back