September 1978
The first new mechanized gray iron foundry to be built in Eastern Ontario is nearing completion on the outskirts, of Carleton Place. Construction was commenced six months ago and completion is expected within the next four or five weeks. Mr. Donald F. Reynolds, President and General Manager of Findlay Foundry Limited, said today that he expects that Ontario Hydro will install power lines to the new plant this week which will perm it equipm ent testing and tryout during the next few weeks.
The new electric induction melting furnace is now in place as well as elaborate mechanized sand handling and air pollution control equipment. The new plant is expected to be the largest user of electrical power in this area. Findlay Foundry Limited, a new Company organized last year, and in no way related to Findlay’s Limited, took over the operation of the old High Street foundry when Findlays Limited announced in July 1969 that it was discontinuing its unprofitable foundry business in line with corporate policy of its parent company.
The parent company had also closed another foundry it owned at Montmagny. Quebec. Mr. Reynolds stated that most old style manual foundries using cupola and other melt systems are losing money and it it is inevitable that most of these will likely close down because of this factor and the high cost of pollution control equipment that would be required to comply with Ontario’s new pollution control laws that go into effect later this fall. The modern methods of production will mean that there will be less manual work involved, and obviously this is a much more attractive proposition to our type of industry.
There will be a closer control of the metal analysis, and the working conditions are far more acceptable with this method of melting as opposed to the cupola. A short period of time will be needed to allow people to become acquainted with the machinery, but this should not take too long; the technicalities of remain the same regardless of the method employed. The long service employee from the old foundry should greatly appreciate the vastly improved working conditions, and it is hoped that as the company matures, it will be in a position to improve still further with the working facilities and keep “in step” with progress.
Mr. Reynolds said that the new plant will likely be operated on a two shift basis almost from the date operations there are commenced and the total number of employees at the new plant will be about the same a* at the old plant. “We are pleased,” Mr. Reynolds stated, “that we managed to maintain employment of the foundry staff at Carleton Place during the past year despite the profitability factor, because we are convinced that over the long run the community, our employees and the shareholders will benefit from the actions we have taken.”
A Carleton Place company that specialized in customizing fire trucks and other emergency vehicles shut down November 11, leaving two dozen employees locked out and confused.
A notice on the front door claims that Eastway911 did not pay its $12,000 rent this month — and states the Ottawa landlord, Kilkee Corporation, wants $500,000 in damages and penalties.
The statement said the company is considering how to continue to operate the business in what it describes as a “challenging and disappointing situation.”
“Eastway911 Emergency Vehicles Ltd. has paid municipal taxes and remains ready, willing, and able to pay November rent. It has advised Kilkee Corp. of this fact,” the statement added.
Cornwall Freightliner, a trucking parts and service company in Cornwall, is one business that’s now looking at its options after the sudden closure.
Freightliner frames are part of two new trucks at Eastway911, and two more frames are headed there now, said sales associate Karl Paschek.
“So, a total of four of them for half a million dollars,” said Paschek.
Kilkee Corporation refused to comment on the record.
CBC news
The Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada04 Aug 1987, Tue • Page 6
Memories of Findlays 1972 – “They’re Proud, Independent, and Resigned to the Loss of their Jobs”
lindaseccaspina 