BAYAMON, PUERTO RICO — Pan Pepin Inc., a privately held bread manufacturer and distributor based in Puerto Rico, suffered extensive damage as a result of Hurricane Maria that tore through the country on Sept. 20. The storm left the entire country without power, and, in the case of Pan Pepin, caused damage to numerous buildings.
“Worst of all is our frozen warehouse, which literally had its walls ripped off on three sides,” said Mario Somoza, president and chief executive officer of Pan Pepin. “The buildings that house the production lines all lost windows, or skylights, or roof panels, so they will need repair work before we can start them up.”
On the positive side, Mr. Somoza said the plant’s equipment appeared to be in good shape, and production was expected to resume on certain lines once the buildings have been secured. He also credited the resolve of the company’s employees, many of whom showed up at the bakery to start the clean-up process that day after the hurricane.
“I’m not surprised, but I’m immensely proud,” he said.
