Two years ago J. Fletcher Creamer and Son, Inc. was called to Sturgis, Michigan to assist in getting a baby formula manufacturing plant back up and running after a series of shutdowns. This of course was during a period when a nationwide baby formula shortage had anxious parents scouring stores and the internet for the limited quantities of formula available.
A call came from our valued partner, Primus Line. They had been approached with an urgent request from a formula manufacturer facing repeated shutdowns due to a failing 8-inch fire line. Each break led to moisture concerns, triggering immediate FDA shutdowns because of stringent oversight on food-grade powder manufacturing. The situation was dire—any delay in resuming production could exacerbate the ongoing formula shortage.
The task was clear: rehabilitate a 200-foot fire line in the lab. The challenge was enormous, but Creamer was prepared to act swiftly. Within a week, we coordinated with the lab’s onsite civil contractor, secured the necessary materials, and mobilized our crew for a 12-hour drive to the site.
The work environment was intense. The lab’s stringent cleanliness standards required our crewto undergo a rigorous decontamination process. Each team member had to change intosterilized gear, and all tools were thoroughly screened and sanitized—a process that took over 90 minutes. Any forgotten tool meant starting the process over, emphasizing the high stakesand precision required.
Our approach involved utilizing Primus Line, an innovative trenchless flexible fabric reinforced pipe (FFRP) lining solution that allowed us to navigate a 90-degree bend in the fire line, a feat that conventional methods could not achieve. We set up an access pit outside the lab and a single access point inside, using an electric winch from within to pull the liner through seamlessly.
The success of this operation not only resolved the immediate crisis for the lab but also demonstrated the value of our partnership with Primus Line and our commitment to providing fast, effective solutions under pressure. This project stands as a proud example of how teamwork, innovation, and dedication can overcome even the most challenging obstacles.
At J. Fletcher Creamer and Son, Inc., we’re always ready to rise to the challenge, ensuring the safety and efficiency of essential infrastructure when it matters most.