Garden River Truss to increase capacity thanks to provincial cash infusion

Garden River Truss is increasing its capacity with a $315,300 boost from the Ontario government through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC).

Sault Ste. Marie MPP Ross Romano was joined by Garden River Truss President Gerry Greco at Garden River Truss Friday afternoon to make the announcement.

“The robotic saw that we bought speeds up the process of preparing the components of the truss for fabrication,” said Greco following the announcement. “So we hired a couple more sawyers to operate the saw, we’ve expanded into a night shift, which helps with capacity.”

“This new equipment allows Garden River Truss the ability to increase their production capacity by 50 per cent, and with that enhanced production capacity, they’re able to hire 10 new full-time workers,” Romano said.

Garden River Truss will also make new hires for truss assembly and delivery as a result of the funding.

“The framers and the builders love our product - we’re one of the top quality producers in the north - so it all has a ripple effect in getting us more business and more investment in the end,” Greco said.

Romano is encouraging the public to get their applications into NOHFC for funding opportunities in the name of diversifying the northern Ontario economy.

The local MPP says the public can text him on his cell at (705) 206-2206 for help with the NOHFC application process.  

“This is a prime opportunity for us to help diversify our economy, to help get more jobs in our community. That’s what we’re here for,” Romano told SooToday. “We want to create more job opportunities, we want to make sure that we are a diversified economy, and that we are moving forward in this competitive marketplace.”

Garden River Truss supplies building component products to builders, contractors and building supply centres throughout northern Ontario and northern Michigan.