UAE’s Kibsons resumes home deliveries after warehouse chemical spill

Company was forced to shut temporarily after forklift truck hit cooling pipe, spoiling tonnes of stock

Staff carry out a deep clean of the Kibsons warehouse in Dubai after a chemical spill in July. The firm resumes full operations from Sunday. Courtesy: Kibsons

The firm resumes full operations from Sunday. Courtesy: Kibsons

The firm resumes full operations from Sunday. Courtesy: Kibsons

Staff select food for delivery at Kibsons supply warehouse in Dubai's International City, which had to close after a coolant leak.

The food delivery business has become one of the UAE's best known food brands and seen a boom in trade during the pandemic.

Many customers have chosen the delivery service over shopping in supermarkets.

Staff separate plastics and other recyclables at their warehouse. Ruel Pableo for The National

Staff separate plastics and other recyclables at their warehouse. Ruel Pableo for The National

Director Halima Jumani gives a demonstration during a tour of the premises in February. Ruel Pableo for The National

UAE food company Kibsons has resumed home deliveries after an accident damaged tonnes of stock at its main warehouse in Dubai, forcing it to close temporarily.

A forklift truck hit a pipe on site last week, exposing food and other produce to a toxic cooling agent.

Nobody was hurt, but the family-owned business had to throw away all the stock stored in the building before deep-cleaning the premises. It reopened on Sunday.

Halima Jumani, the company’s director and a member of the family who founded it, said the turnaround was “nothing short of a miracle”.

She said the groundswell of support received from across the UAE was a huge boost during a difficult period.

“We are so grateful to all our amazing customers, suppliers, friends, well-wishers and residents of UAE for all the lovely messages, prayers, positive wishes and vibes that have not only uplifted our spirits in some very sad moments but also perhaps moved the universe to help us recover and regain operational position so swiftly,” she said.

“We feel so honoured to have received constant support via email and social media even when we were unable to accept any orders during the week of customers’ Eid celebrations.”

Kibsons has operated since 1980, delivering fresh, organic fruit and vegetables and other staples such as bread, eggs and dairy produce across the UAE.

The company, which was established in Dubai, employs more than 500 workers and distributes about 150 tonnes of fresh produce each day.

Kibsons said it had introduced new items, including art and craft products, for the relaunch.