Posted By DEANNA CLARK , R & T STAFF WRITER
The company which rose from the ashes of the former Phillips Cables plant is about to get bigger and better.
Northern Cables Inc. received a $1.5-million grant on Thursday through the Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF). The funds will help modernize operations, expand Northern's product line and floor space and create about 20 jobs.
"People picked themselves up by the bootstraps," Minister of the Environment and Kingston and the Islands MPP John Gerretsen said of the Brockville company's founders.
Gerretsen made the funding announcement at the California Avenue facility before a room filled with local workers, local politicians and other officials.
"It shows you when there's a will, there is a way to do it," Gerretsen
said in commending Northern Cables for growing into a company with locations in both Brockville and Prescott and employing about 120 people.
"Leaders in their field are those who recognize innovation and increased productivity as key to compete effectively and expand market share," said Gerretsen.
The grant, said Gerretsen, complements Northern Cables' own investment of just over $10.6 million.
The Brockville facility is expected to expand by 30,000 square feet.
Gerretsen called the company's workforce highly skilled and stable and commended staff for its owth in challenging times.
"Obviously your company's hard work is paying off," noted Gerretsen.
Northern Cables products can be found at Confederation Bridge at Prince Edward Islands to the home of the Mets in New York City. Many of its products were used at venues at the recent Olympic Games in Vancouver.
"Just 14 short years ago, a small group of displaced workers met to ponder their future," said company president Shelley Bacon.
"From this chance meeting, a company was conceived," he said. "We didn't have any equipment, customers, certificates to manufacture or even a building.
"We started with vision and determination," said Bacon.
Bacon, Joe Brunner, Kevin Charlebois, David Chartrand and Richard Trapp, all former Phillips Cables employees, launched Northern Cables in 1996.
"To grow a business of this size, it takes the hard work of all employees," said Bacon.
Investing in new equipment and technology at both locations will allow the company to expand its industrial product line, he said.
"We'll make more of what we already make and increase in gauge and complexity," Bacon said.
Brockville Mayor David Henderson called it "the perfect company" to receive the grant.
"This is the poster child for what we need," said Henderson. He noted its success is due to having a solid management team with local investors behind them.
"This is the answer. We need that local commitment," said Henderson. "I'm also glad the fund is working the way it is supposed to work."
Prescott Mayor Suzanne Dodge said the town welcomed Northern Cables into a vacant Fort Town plant about 18 months ago.
"I'm just thrilled," said Dodge.
"We said OK, what can we do to get you working and manufacturing in Prescott?," she said of the initial conversation.
"We've been working with them ever since. We're just excited. More jobs, more people."
Master of ceremonies for the announcement was Norm Saunders, a consultant with Northern Cables.
"It's been a good day for Northern Cables and it's been a good day for the communities of Brockville and Prescott," said Saunders.
The company was named Business of the Year at last November's Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce 50th anniversary gala.
Northern Cables is known for rising up from a major industrial casualty - the closure of Phillips Cables.
They manufacture armoured electrical cables for commercial and industrial clients across North America.
Bacon said starting a new company from scratch was an uphill battle for the small but resilient group.
The firm struggled through many steps, including getting the needed equipment, licences and, of course, establishing a client base, he said.
He said it was achieved through determination and hard work.
-with files from Ronald Zajac
deanna@recorder.ca