By Tyler Kula, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
New manufacturing jobs could be on the way as the vacant, former UBE plant has sold to a mystery group of local investors, Sarnia’s mayor says.
“This is great news for us,” said Mike Bradley, as he revealed the news at his annual state of the city address to about 50 Golden K Kiwanis club members Tuesday.
The plant, closed by Japanese-based wheel manufacturer UBE in 2009, boasts about 350,000 square feet of plant space sitting on about 72 acres near the Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport, said Kenn Poore, the real estate agent involved in listing and selling the property.
About five years ago, Sarnia Wheels Inc. bought the property from UBE and tried to make a go of manufacturing wheels but couldn’t land a large enough contract, Poore said.
All of the manufacturing assets were auctioned off in 2013, he said, and the empty building and property were recently listed at $7.25 million.
Poore opted not to reveal what the property sold for.
“It’s unfortunate that Sarnia Wheels was unable to make a go of it; however, since they were unable, I think that it’s in its best hands now,” he said, adding, “I’m excited for Sarnia.”
Both Bradley and Poore said the new property owners aren’t ready yet to reveal their identities or intentions.
But “they have no intention of making wheels,” Poore said, noting they represent a company.
“The purchasers are well-respected, credible businesspeople in the community,” Bradley said, noting he had their permission to reveal news the property had sold.
The deal formally closed Dec. 30, Poore said.
Bradley lauded the building’s size and high ceilings, as well as its location directly north of Highway 402 and near the Blue Water Bridge crossing, as an opportunity for manufacturing, storage or a combination.
“Obviously manufacturing would be the preference for them and for us,” he said, noting the plant site is one of few properties in the community available to investors seeking more than 10,000 square feet.
“We think it’s very marketable and we’re going to set up meetings for the investors,” Bradley said.
It’s unclear when more information about the investors and their plans will be available, he said.
UBE spent about $110 million launching the plant in 2002 and expanding in 2005. At its height, it employed about 255 people.
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