SC Johnson wants to introduce a new product line at its Webster Street facility and expand its Brantford warehouse, the company’s vice-president of public affairs said Friday.
Advertisement 2
Article content
Deb Fiddelke said the new product line and expansion represent an investment of at least $30 million and would create new jobs.
Article content
However, the investments can only happen if the future of the Webster Street facility is certain, Fiddelke said.
“We have a great opportunity to bring a new product line that we don’t currently manufacture in Canada,” Fiddelke said Friday “We need more manufacturing lines moving to meet the demand for this highly popular product.”
There are a couple of potential factories the company can look at and one is in Brantford – where the company would like to put it, Fiddelke said.
Putting the production line in Brantford represents a $15-million investment.
Fiddelke wouldn’t identify the product, but said it is growing in popularity and has a strong future.
Advertisement 3
Article content
SC Johnson has manufactured some 200 products in Brantford over its 103-year history in the city. However, the volume has been trending downwards in recent years.
The future of the Brantford facility became a major issue earlier this year when it was learned a developer – Rosart Bucci Group – had purchased property at 58 Morrell St. adjacent to SC Johnson’s property at 1 Webster St.
The developer wants to build a 156-unit residential development on the property, which is zoned industrial. The developer has applied to have the property rezoned.
A decision on the rezoning application was deferred by the city to allow SC Johnson and the developer to explore alternative solutions. But when the 120-day period elapsed, the developer took the matter to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT).
Advertisement 4
Article content
The tribunal adjudicates land use disputes and a hearing is expected to be held sometime in 2024.
City council has come out in support of SC Johnson and has also been looking to find a solution to the impasse.
SC Johnson, citing potential conflict between its facility and residential development, said it wouldn’t invest in its Brantford facility if the rezoning is approved for the housing proposal.
“We need a larger building to house our products to ship to customers and we’d like to invest in Brantford because of our factory there,” Fiddelke said. “It would make absolute sense to have a larger distribution center in Brantford.
“But again, if the future of the factory is in doubt then we would have to make a decision to put the distribution center elsewhere in Canada.”
Advertisement 5
Article content
An expansion of the warehouse represents an investment of between $10 million and $15 million, Fiddelke said.
SC Johnson is doing everything it can to find a solution, she added.
“The sooner we can find a solution the better because these are open investment questions,” Fiddelke said, adding decisions will have to be within the next few months.
The issue will be the topic of discussion at a special council meeting being held Tuesday (Oct. 17) to give residents a chance to voice their opinion.
Councilors will also review a report prepared by city officials highlighting the economic impact of losing the SC Johnson facility. According to the report, the economic loss would be between $70 million and $90 million.
twitter.com/EXPVBall
Article content
Comments
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourages all readers to share their views on our articles. Comments may take up to one hour for moderation before appearing on the site. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. We have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.