Kerala plywood industry, which was destroyed due to floods, has now slowly crawled back to normalcy. Flood affected manufacturing establishments in Perumbavoor are re-enacting their factories and businesses. They are repairing and reinstalling equipment and other infrastructure though some of the owners are still in dilemma for their business due to the bad memories and experience caused by floods.
Kerala plywood industry incurred approx Rs 350 crore losses because 55 to 60 units were totally destroyed in floods. The owners have been taking loans from the banks or private financial firms to revival and shaping their business.
The Ply Reporter’s local correspondent reported that 80 percent of flood affected factories are now restored but the production is very slow due to weak demand. Mr Ashique owner of Ashique Timbers & Plywood factory said to Ply Reporter correspondent that due to the floods it was difficult to imagine then the damaged factories could again be established. About 50-60 companies were completely devastated. V. K. Samual the owner of Samual Plywood said to Ply Reporter that Plywood business may take time to get on track. Samual is very Angry with Government’s stand regarding the help of flood affected companies and said Plywood players started their enterprise alone.
K.K.Upendran, owner of Anju Match & Plywood expresses his hopelessness and said government did not provide any help and support to flood effected plywood companies. All the businessmen took loans by themselves and trying to run their business again. He also underlined the labour shortage issue as most of the workers come from Assam, but they are not return yet. Amit Kumar, Joint secretary of local Plywood association said we are demanding the interest free loan for flood affected companies from government, but the stand of government is not clear yet.