People Pictured: Farid Azar, Jagrup Brar, Travis Hiller, Greg Johnston, Wolfgang Karnine, Brian Merwin, Roly Russell, & Matthew Taylor
OKANAGAN FALLS – Mercer Mass Timber has received $7 million from the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund that will enable them to modernize their glulam plant and boost production by 25 percent.
The CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber) and GLT (Glue-Laminated Timber) Production plants and CLT Finishing plants, located on 11 acres at Wallis Road and Maple Street, are known as Mercer Okanagan, a subsidiary of Mercer International, headquartered in Spokane, Washington, which acquired the operation a year ago. Mercer International produces 255,000 cubic metres annually between Mercer Okanagan, Mercer Spokane, and Mercer Conway in Arkansas.
“This support enables us to create jobs and boost the local economy while solidifying B.C.’s position as a global leader in the mass timber industry,” says Brian Merwin, Senior Vice President, Mercer Mass Timber. “Mercer Mass Timber is committed to leading the way in sustainable mass timber, and this partnership significantly strengthens our ability to do so. We’re excited for what’s to come and how we can all make a positive difference within the industry.”
The funding is expected to be able to rehire 28 employees who were laid off when the previous business shut down. It will support the purchase of new advanced manufacturing equipment and completion of factory upgrades that will modernize the facilities, improve production efficiencies and scale manufacturing of a wider variety of mass-timber products. Those products are used predominantly as structural components for multi-tenant buildings.
The BCMJF funding has also been announced to four other companies in the Thompson Okanagan region.
According to Waycon Manufacturing Ltd. website, the funding will be used to purchase new state-of-the-art machinery, including Doosan Puma 5100, Doosan DBC-110 and cranes, to diversify its product offerings and increase project turnaround time, quality and capabilities. Additionally, the Penticton-based company will expand its floor space by 5,000 square feet, bringing the facility to 40,000 square feet on 2.5 acres.
- Waycon Manufacturing Ltd. of Penticton is a specialty metal fabricator that designs and manufactures heavy-duty equipment, machinery and custom parts and hydraulic systems for the forestry, carbon capturing and energy sectors. It will receive as much as $575,000 to expand its operations and buy new equipment to meet increasing demand and diversify its product offerings, while creating 12 jobs.
“This investment will enhance our machining capabilities, enabling precise machining of large weldments and intricate pieces up to 22,000 pounds,” says Waycon President John O’Connell. “This empowers us to serve customers in prototyping and heavy-equipment manufacturing, leveraging our engineering expertise for superior quality and faster turnaround. It also strengthens our commitment to creating skilled manufacturing jobs in the south Okanagan.”
- Simolo Customs Ltd. of Vernon manufactures low-speed electric vehicles and is Canada’s only manufacturer of street-legal golf carts. It will receive as much as $175,000 to expand its production facility and to buy new equipment that will result in the creation of 20 jobs at the company.
“This partnership helps us create local jobs by completing the expansion of our current facility and the building of an additional production facility in Vernon,” says Simolo CEO Jeffery Holomis. “We’ll also be purchasing new manufacturing equipment that will allow us to produce more products to ship locally and abroad, further solidifying Simolo Customs Ltd as a premier Canadian manufacturer.”
- Heartwood Manufacturing Ltd. of Kelowna builds office furniture, which it distributes nationally. It is receiving as much as $154,000 to upgrade equipment that will increase efficiency, production and sales, while creating three jobs.
“We appreciate the support of the Manufacturing Job Fund as a critical partner to help us update machinery for increased efficiency and growth,” says Jenni Duff, vice-president, operations for Heartwood. “ We are proud to keep striving to build more manufacturing in B.C.”
- International Steel Fabrication Inc. of Kamloops is a steel fabricator serving the forestry, oil and gas, mining and construction industries. It will receive as much as $275,000 to retrofit a former pellet mill and add equipment to its main shop that allows for increased production, the creation of 10 jobs and safer working environments for employees.
“We would like to thank the BC Manufacturing Job Fund for helping us propel our mission forward and achieve impactful outcomes,” says ISF President Mitch Philpott “The funding will assist us in upgrading and modernizing our manufacturing facility, which will increase capacity and efficiency, generate more job opportunities in our area and create a safer and more environmentally friendly operation.”
Business Examiner Staff