One of the region’s largest employers received significant support from the federal government last week.
On August 15, Glengarry-Prescott-Russell MP Francis Drouin announced $18 million in support for Heico, the parent company of Ivaco Rolling Mills in L’Orignal, to assist it to diversify its products, reach new markets, and work on greenhouse gas reduction efforts.
Ivaco manufactures steel wire and billets.
The funding will create 86 new jobs spread across plants in L’Orignal, Ingersoll and Marieville in Québec.
Ivaco Chief Financial Officer Will Trower said they plan to restore the 50 jobs that were lost at the L’Orignal plant earlier this year due to steel tariffs imposed by the United States. Trower said, however, that the new jobs will not specifically be for the employees who were previously laid off.
A more efficient electric arc furnace will be installed at Ivaco, according to Vice President and General Manager, Joe Olenick, who also thanked employees for their dedication.
“Money doesn’t make the plant run, people do,” he said.
