Rona's truss manufacturing plant in Port Hope, Ontario, to close with loss of 42 jobs; operations will move to Bowmanville plant operated by Rona's partner Millwork

Wendy Lisney

LOS ANGELES , May 21, 2012 (Industry Intelligence) – Rona's truss manufacturing plant in Port Hope, Ontario, is to close with the loss of 24 full-time and 18 part-time jobs, following an announcement earlier this month that independent dealer-owner Millwork had joined the Quebec-based home improvement retailer.

Dave Hancock, manager of the 40,000-sq. ft. truss plant in Port Hope, said the operations were moving to a truss plant in Bowmanville, which is operated by Millwork, the Northumberland News reported on May 18.

Hancock said he was among those who were losing their jobs. He said he had been told the move was part of a corporate restructuring, but noted that the plant was profitable.

Michelle Laberge of Rona said the company was downsizing truss manufacturing because of market conditions, and that the Port Hope plant would close in the fall, although no firm date has been set.

Laberge added that workers from the Port Hope plant would have the opportunity to apply for positions at the Millwork Bowmanville location if job opportunities were available.

Dave Horner, who operates Rona stores in Coburg and Port Hope, said he was upset to hear of the closure as losing any employment was bad for the town. He said it had been very convenient to have the plant attached to the store, but that Bowmanville was not far away and sourcing trusses from there would not affect business.

Existing Millwork retail locations that are to reopen under the Rona name are in Peterborough, Ajax and Oshawa, according to a press release issued by Rona on May 1.

The primary source of this article is the Northumberland News, Northumberland, Ontario, on May 18, 2012.

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