Ga. sugar refinery to come back on line

Ga. sugar refinery to come back on line    Imperial Sugar Co., whose factory in Port Wentworth, Ga., near Savannah, was the scene of a deadly explosion and fire in 2008, expects to resume production of granulated bulk sugar at the facility this month and have complete restoration of packaging capabilities by fall.
   Press reports said the company would have a ceremony Tuesday to mark the resumption of production.
   An explosion at the plant on Feb. 7, 2008, killed 14 people

An explosion and fire at the Imperial Sugar Co. factory on Feb. 7, 2008, killed 14 people. The plant is expected to resume production this month.

   The company reported that through May 31, it had spent about $85 million of the estimated $200 million to $220 million construction costs for the rebuild.
   John Sheptor, Imperial's president and chief executive officer, said, “installation of the equipment required to produce and ship bulk product is complete, with equipment test out and completion of the related structures proceeding. We completed the concrete pour of the 150-foot tall refined sugar silos in May and work on the interior structures has commenced. The new packaging building is virtually complete structurally and we are preparing to begin installation of material handling and packaging equipment.”
   Imperial is one of the largest U.S. processors and marketers of refined sugar to food manufacturers, retail grocers and foodservice distributors. The company markets products nationally under the Imperial, Dixie Crystals and Holly brands.