Sault moulding producer sold to Brampton company.

• Author: Kelly, Lindsay
• Position: NEWS

The ownership has changed, and the plant has a new name on its sign, but operations will largely stay the same at Fibrestick Manufacturing.

Now operating under the Weston Wood Solutions banner, the Sault Ste. Marie plant manufactures products for the residential and commercial construction industry out of medium-density fibreboard (MDF), including mouldings, doorjambs and other components.

Weston acquired the 10,000-square-foot facility in June to complement its Brampton-based operation, which makes and distributes value-added wood and wood-related products for the market.

Ryan Connolly, who has owned the Sault business since 2006, said he was approached by Weston several months ago with a request to manufacture some products for them, and it eventually evolved into an acquisition.

"The administration portion of the business has changed quite a bit because, of course, we're integrated with their offices in Toronto," Connolly said. "But as far as the rest--the men, and the shop, and all that--it's running the same as it always was."

Over the decade-plus he's helmed the business, Connolly has grown its client list to 15 from just two, and has grown its staff to 18 from four.

Under new ownership, Connolly expects to see even more growth.

"New products will be brought on and, over time, they plan on expanding the business significantly," he said.

That includes more employees and a larger facility, as the current plant is "busting at the seams."

A leading player in the wood industry, Weston has received recognition five years in a row as one of Canada's fastest-growing companies in the Growth 500 list, and has...