COLOGNE, New Jersey -- The looms at Absecon Mills are once again churning out fabric at the factory where a devastating fire struck this year on the evening of April 3. The fire was contained because of the hard work and responsiveness of 27 fire companies, although the shipping and receiving area was destroyed along with some stock and a small weaving room with 12 looms — a small percentage of the company’s 90 looms.

 Fire to the Absecon Mills factory

Other parts of the building suffered smoke and water damage, but cleanup began immediately. Within two days, most employees were back to work, either at a temporary location or at the facility itself, helping to make the mill operational once again

"I’m still frustrated with the pace," said Randy Taylor, CEO. "When someone tells me something will be done tomorrow, I want to know why it isn’t today.”

Replacement looms have been ordered from Germany and are due to be delivered in three weeks. In the mean time, the company is running around the clock to keep up with production and eliminate the order backlogs. All the employees are back to work now and the company will rebuild the damaged areas in June.

Absecon Mills, which opened in 1978, is one of the area’s largest manufacturers, according to Taylor.  Nationally, the fabrics have been specified in seating at Harvard, Columbia, Princeton, Madison Square Garden and Starwood Hotel Chains. The company also has government contracts, which drew the personal attention oUnited States Senator Robert Menendeznd New Jersey State Senator James Whelan. Their personal interest and support of Absecon Mills sparked a visit to headquarters on Sunday, May 15^th. Both Senators, strong proponents of manufacturing in New Jersey, came to the textile technology plant to view the progress that has been made since Absecon suffered the fire. Senator Menendez also stressed the importance of returning the plant to full operations, due to the research and development there to create stronger and lighter armor for the warfighters.

Before and After fire to the factory

"For the people at Absecon Mills, this is more than just a job, this is like a calling," said Sen. Menendez.

Senator Jim Whelan praised Absecon Mills as one of only a few textile plants in the country that makes cutting-edge ballistic fibers for soldiers and officials at the Pentagon

 "They're not just making bed cloths," said Whelan. "They are making equipment that our troops use in Afghanistan and Iraq that make them safer."

Both Senators addressed a crowd of more than 400 people, among them employees and the many firefighters from 27 fire companies that were honored for helping to control the blaze. Senators Menendez and Whelan also commended CEO and President Randy Taylor and COO Doug Taylor for keeping employees on payroll after the fire by paying each employee out of their own pockets. Senator Menendez vowed to make the insurance company accountable.

"I’m going to remind them of their responsibility," said Menedez "I wanted to make sure we could continue to produce that great product here in New Jersey for Americans and our service people."

Taylor also spoke of the sense of family, which has always been strong at Absecon Mills, and how that feeling has grown and strengthened since the fire.

“We’ve all been working hard and working together to resume full production, and our dedication to our customers has been the inspiration behind that focus," said Taylor. "It has been a setback, but we are using this experience to come back better and stronger than ever.”