CAI Assisting Community, Continuing Operations in Aftermath of Explosion

While authorities try to piece together the cause of the Nov. 22 explosion that rocked the Danvers, MA facility of CAI Inc., a family-owned ink manufacturer, and Arnel Inc., a manufacturer of industrial-use paint products, CAI Inc. is trying to do what it can to help the community and continue its business operations.
    
A family business incorporated in 1985 by Vincent Sartorelli, CAI Inc. is now run by his six sons. The company manufactures water-based and solvent-based ink systems that are used by the flexible packaging/paper board industry.
    
The explosion occurred at about 2:46 a.m. while the plant was closed and the neighborhood slept. Ten people were treated and released from a local hospital for minor injuries, none were seriously hurt. At least ten homes and businesses were destroyed and many others sustained extensive damage. The explosion was reportedly heard more than 20 miles away. “We feel so thankful and relieved that nobody was seriously hurt,” said Cheryl McLarney, spokesperson for CAI. “If there is a silver lining in all of this, that would be it,” added Ms. McLarney.
    
While they work diligently to support the efforts of federal and state investigators in the search for a cause of the accident, CAI executives remain concerned about the neighborhood families and business owners.
    
“The neighborhood itself is a close-knit group, which CAI has been a part of for more than two decades,” said Ms. McLarney. “There are still 45 families that are displaced and we are encouraging our friends and colleagues to donate to the Danvers Community Council, a local non-profit organization which has been assisting these families since the incident occurred on the eve of Thanksgiving.”