The Brandt Group of Companies, one of the largest businesses in Saskatchewan, plans to open a new utility trailer manufacturing plant in Moose Jaw and start production later this summer.
The company plans to create up to 200 jobs over the next three years, including assemblers, welders, material handlers, engineers and supervisors, while it hopes to draw as many employees as possible from the local labour pool.
Hiring will begin immediately with the addition of 70 jobs, while Brandt will host a career fair at the plant at 76 Lancaster Road on Thursday, July 28, from 3 to 6 p.m.
“Brandt is very excited to become an active member of the Moose Jaw business community and we will be (using) local contractors to prepare the facility for production,” said Murray Yeager, vice-president of manufacturing. “Later, when the upgrades are complete, we will employ local vendors for everything from supplies and janitorial services to maintenance and snow removal.”
Moose Jaw is considered an ideal location for the plant, with its strong workforce and history as a centre for trailer production, the company said. Brandt is making this move to free up space at its north Regina works campus so it can expand production for other product lines it is currently building in its Regina plants.
The company also has long-term plans for additional expansion and more equipment purchases to outfit the plant to produce utility trailers for wider distribution across North America.
The 5,760-square metre (64,000-square-foot) plant was originally home to General Cable; Brandt purchased the venue in 2012.
