LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Three days after an explosion at the Givaudan Sense Colour factory in Louisville, the company is discussing what happened.

Ann Leonard, President of the Sense Colour Business Unit, spoke to reporters about Tuesday’s explosion, which killed two people.

Leonard did not discuss specifics about what might have caused the blast. She said right now, Givaudan is not in charge of the investigation. She said various local and government agencies are investigating to learn what happened. Leonard said they were unaware of any issues at the plant before the explosion.

At 3 p.m. Nov. 12, Louisville Emergency Services and the Louisville Fire Department responded to an unknown explosion at the plant, formerly known as D.D. Williamson & Co. Givaudan acquired the company in 2021 and its legal name is DDW. Givaudan is its parent company, based in Switzerland.

Twelve people were taken to UofL and Baptist Health hospitals after the explosion. One man died at UofL Hospital and another employee was found in the building's rubble. Leonard wouldn’t identify either of the employees, saying it would be up to their families.

A view of the damage in the aftermath of an explosion at the Givaudan Colour Sense plant in Louisville's Clifton neighborhood. (Spectrum News 1/Mason Brighton)

Leonard was asked why it took the company three days to address the incident that rocked Louisville’s Clifton neighborhood. She said, “Our focus was on the wellbeing of our associates first and foremost, especially the two gentlemen who passed away, as well as those who were injured. It was really where our focus was.” She continued, “We were also very concerned about the community and starting that behind-the-scenes engagement with the community to be able to surface any of the damage reports and damage concerns from both businesses and residents and really that has been the focus.”

She said DDW has been a part of the neighborhood for over 70 years. Leonard said the company wants to do all it can to help the people and its employees recover from this incident.

DDW has approximately 55 people working there between office and production employees. Leonard says the company will continue to pay the salaries and benefits for each of the employees. She would not comment on the number of employees in the building when the explosion took place.

Givaudan has 12 operations around the world, including in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Brazil. Malaysia and China. The company says it makes its coloring from natural sources, such as fruits and vegetables.

This isn’t the first serious incident at the plant. An employee was killed on April 11, 2003. According to an Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigation, two employees were preparing a tub and began pumping product from a tank and adding a cornstarch powder called maltin. The tub was being heated by steam and it began to overflow. According to the report, the tub exploded, killing one of the employees.

An aerial view of damage at the Givaudan Colour Sense plant, the site of an explosion on Nov. 12, 2024. (Spectrum News 1/Mason Brighton)

Leonard was asked if there was a connection or any similarities between the two accidents and she said, “[It’s] way too early to draw conclusions between the two. Still early in the investigation. A lot more information needs to be gathered.”

On Friday, Mayor Craig Greenberg, D-Louisville, announced Givaudan has established a phone number and email address for residents to ask questions. The telephone number is 1-800-856-3333. Residents are asked to mention either “DD” or “Givaudan” when calling in.

The company is also holding a community meeting, Monday, Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. at the United Crescent Hill Ministries at 150 State Street.