The city’s industrial base is poised to expand, after a national acrylic manufacturing company announced plans to open a 150,000-square-foot facility in Airdrie, Sept. 13.
Mirolin Industries Corp. will invest millions retrofitting a facility in Airdrie’s East Lake Industrial park, potentially employing dozens when production begins next spring.
“The expansion is a significant commitment to the Western Canadian market and reinforces our dedication to Canadian economic growth,” said Mirolin president Dominic Primucci.
“Mirolin is the first truly national player in acrylic tub and shower manufacturing. We offer a complete product assortment nationally and are now strategically positioned to be the leading national acrylic tub and shower brand in Canada.”
Mirolin currently manufactures bathtub, shower and ‘whirlpool’ jetted tubs at a facility in Toronto. The Airdrie plant, to be located at the former Palliser Furniture plant at 705 East Lake Drive, will be similar in size.
“The plant will build identical products; it will not be a satellite location, but a stand alone facility to serve the Western Canadian market,” said Robert Bartucci, Mirolin’s vice president of sales and marketing.
“We will employ to the demand level. I expect the demand to grow rapidly.”
The new manufacturing plant represents a major investment for Mirolin, which has been in business since 1973, shipping coast-to-coast from its distribution facility, also located in Toronto.
Plans to expand began two-and-a-half years ago, and the company has been scouting for a location for the past eight months.
“Airdrie was identified from the outset as an ideal location,” said Bartucci.
“It makes a lot of sense due to its geographic location. It can serve Calgary and Edmonton through the Highway 2 corridor, with easy access to Vancouver and still serve Saskatchewan and Manitoba.”
The City’s economic development department is thrilled to be able to add to Airdrie’s growing industrial base.
“It’s going to fill jobs in manufacturing, which is one of our most important sectors,” said economic development team leader Kent Rupert. “Certainly when we get a manufacturer for Canada and the Western U.S., it’s a big draw. Other people in the industry take notice and we hope we can leverage off that.”
Rupert’s department is tasked with luring major employers to Airdrie. In this case, that meant providing information about Airdrie and helping the company make connections.
“We essentially were able to find a facility that met their needs that was already existing,” said Rupert.
“We hooked them up with the planning team and made sure the deadlines could be met. I think Mirolin was happy with our timelines and our process. It makes us feel like our work is paying off.”
The company plans to spend the winter installing its equipment, and preparing to begin production.
“For our business, it is a significant investment, many millions of dollars… We’re quite excited. Airdrie is a great place to be,” said Bartucci. “We will spend the next six months outfitting the facility, and plan to be in full production by the end for the first quarter.”
- With Files From Trevor Bacque
