SPRINGHILL, N.S. - Right now it’s business as usual, but 16 people will see their jobs move to New Brunswick later this year when Laurentide Re/sources Inc. closes its Springhill paint-recycling operation to Richibucto, N.B.
Brian Tanner, the Atlantic operations manager for Laurentide, is one of the 16 Springhill employees said the decision to move the jobs is based on business, not performance.
“It's a business decision made by the company,” Tanner said. “We have two facilities in Richibucto and right now they’re sitting idle. They have 36,000 square feet of empty space while in Springhill we’re overcrowded with 7,000 square feet.
“They’re maximizing the space they have there to be more efficient. It has absolutely nothing to do with the work ethic of the people working Springhill, it’s just a business decision. It’s about economics and maximizing assets”
Laurentide opened the paint-recycling facility in Springhill in 2001. It was severely damaged by fire in January 2009 and Tanner said it was the dedication and perseverance of its employees then that convinced Laurentide to rebuild its Springhill operation.
“That fire could have shut the business down, but it was the tenacity of the workforce and coming in and working in the cold that convinced the company to rebuild. Now, we’re at a situation where they have to look at their assets and make a business decision.”
Tanner said the employees were given 12 weeks written notice of the plan to close the Springhill plant and they have until Oct. 19 to decide whether they will move with their jobs. He said a tour of the New Brunswick plant is being planned for those, including him, who are considering moving.
While the plant is supposed to close by Dec. 21, Tanner said it’s possible work could continue there until early in 2019 as there is still a backlog of work at the Springhill facility. He said the company has made fair offers to each of the employees impacted by the decision.
“It’s as fair as a company can be when it’s closing an operation, but it’s still a darn shame for the community of Springhill,” Tanner said.
Cumberland South MLA Tory Rushton said the move is a blow to Springhill.
Rushton said he met with Tanner earlier this week and the workers were given lots of praise. They showed up for work the day after the announcement and have continued to work despite the knowledge some of them won’t be moving with their jobs.
“These are good people and good workers and this is going to be a huge loss for Springhill,” Rushton said. “Some of them have said they’re not going to be able to afford to move with their jobs to Richibucto so I’ve made a commitment to work with them to see if we can find something else going in that building or getting them into another job in the area.”
He said Business Minister Geoff MacLellan has also committed to working with him to see what can be done to assist the displaced workers.
Rushton said the Cumberland Business Connector, a business-led, not-for-profit organization to support and expand business throughout Cumberland County, has also offered to provide assistance to employees.
Twitter: @ADNdarrell
