Truss manufacturing plant to reopen in Sundridge.

• Author: Turl, Jeff
• Position: Briefs

The Town of Sundridge is breathing a big sigh of relief with the news that its biggest employer, Kent Trusses, is going to reopen under new ownership.

Sundridge Mayor Lyle Hall told BayToday that the plant has been sold to Phoenix Building Components in Barrie.

Kent Trusses, located a 40-minute drive south of North Bay, closed in August after struggling for some time to turn a profit.

In a last-ditch effort to prevent permanent closure, the company had approached the town to purchase the land and its holdings for $3.2 million, but the town turned down the offer.

The facility shut its doors on Aug. 18. The plant employed 80 people.

"It's been a relief because it's been a stressful time when you lose an employer that is so long-term and so large in one fell swoop like that," Hall said.

"You worry about the people in the town and you worry about the future. It's just been a huge relief."

Ironically, quite a few of the past employees from Kent Trusses had started Phoenix in competition a number of years ago.

"So they are very familiar with Kent's business," said Hall. "It looks good."

The business is expected to start up by month's end, but will employ fewer workers than previously.

"It will be a smaller workforce at this point anyway--more like a branch plant--because...