Ontario-based building products giant Vicwest has consolidated its two Delta facilities and single Surrey plant into a new 91,400-square-foot Delta-based manufacturing facility with 50% more space than the company previously occupied.
The company that Vicwest Income Fund (TSX:VIC.UN) entirely owns has started basing sales representatives in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Any work the sales force generates will be produced in B.C.
“This will be a feeder plant for that customer demand. We’re lumping the B.C. Lower Mainland together with the Pacific Northwest as one market segment and our goal is to grow into that area as well,” said Jim Henderson, who is Vicwest’s general manager for the western region.
He told Business in Vancouver August 6 that the new Delta facility will also house a 5,000-square-foot showroom where potential clients can view steel roofing, steel cladding and architectural panels for the industrial, commercial and institutional sectors.
Vicwest Income Fund had a market capitalization of $226.2 million in early August. It generated $391.8 million in revenue in 2009.
The company employs 1,200 workers including 62 in B.C.
Henderson said he would not immediately hire new staff for the expanded facility, but expects to bring on new employees as the company grows.
“As the marketplace grows and as we make inroads with new products, I think we’ll grow,” he said. “I’d be happy if our volume increased by 50% next year.”