Production has been temporarily halted at Stagecraft Displays at Llaithddu, near Newtown, after the March 21 fire destroyed the main factory.

“The fire service fought valiantly to save the building and did an excellent job in preventing the blaze spreading,” said Stagecraft managing director Tom Davis.

“Fortunately all our stock of wood is stored away from the factory. We shall be back in business in a replacement factory in Newtown.”

Machinery and orders in production were lost in the blaze.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said the fire burned so intensely that the crews were unable to save the factory and office accommodation.

“The extensive heat from the fire also caused any remaining parts of the building to become unstable,” the fire service said. “The crews, however, did prevent the fire from spreading to any adjoining buildings.”

The family-owned company, in business since 1984 and employing a staff of 30, designs and manufactures timber-based shop fittings and retail merchandising displays.

It is a specialist in garden centre and farm shop timber stands for the display of products, including plants, shrubs and gifts.

A spokesman for Dyfed police said an investigation into the cause of the fire was still on going.