The Vidrala Group immediately activated a support plan for nearly one thousand direct and contractor employees, as well as their families, following the storm that struck the Leiria district on 28 January. With winds exceeding 210 kilometres per hour, the storm caused significant material damage and left Marinha Grande, Portugal, without critical supplies for both the population and industry, including electricity, water, communications and transport.
Following Storm Kristin, the company consistently prioritised safety, people’s wellbeing and access to basic supplies through a range of measures, including a free canteen service for all Vidrala employees, the distribution of 13,000 litres of drinking water and more than 500 kilograms of fruit to take home, and the extension of factory shower access to families.
The Group also donated thousands of metres of protective sheeting for damaged homes and temporary roof repairs, supplied diesel for employees’ cars, organised children’s activities, introduced internal flexibility arrangements to allow for family care and administrative matters, and coordinated a mental-health support workshop together with an advisory service for insurance and institutional procedures. If necessary, Vidrala will further reinforce its support, as this community deserves it.
In addition, Vidrala has led neighbourhood support through direct and regular engagement with public institutions, resulting in the provision of generators to restore essential municipal services, the donation of 6,000 roof tiles and further thousands of metres of protective sheeting for temporary roof repairs, and the voluntary provision of welding services as well as a forklift truck and driver.
Glass made good
Vidrala operates two industrial facilities in Marinha Grande with annual production of 2.6 billion bottles. In recent years, the group has made significant investments in efficiency and sustainability projects across both the plants and the logistics warehouse. This industrial scale and investment effort consolidate Portugal as a strategic pillar within the group.
Despite sustaining material damage, the activation of contingency plans made it possible to maintain production activity at the plants and guarantee supply to customers. Vidrala expresses its gratitude for the professionalism and commitment of its workforce, whose decisive contribution enabled the swift return to normal operations.