A weld seam on a holding tank failed Sept. 29, 1999 at the Monitor Sugar Company factory, sending more than 4,000 tons of molasses across the factory floor and surrounding areas outside.
The force of the molasses hit the factory wall, weld shop, and diffusion tower, causing major damage to a motor control panel and transformer bank.
Crews are cleaned up the sticky mess by power washing the factory floors inside. Inrecon, reconstruction specialist, is on site heading up the molasses clean up and reconstruction process.
The estimated time for repairs is three to four weeks.
Beet receiving is scheduled to begin the week of October 18, 1999 for the 600 growers who deliver beets to Monitor for processing.