Fernco Looks to Expand in Sarnia.

Tyler Kula, Sarnia Observer.

An investment in business park land the City of Sarnia made 15 years ago off Modeland Road may finally be hitting pay dirt.

A proposal comes to city council Monday from Sarnia-based Fernco Connectors Ltd., looking to buy a sliver of the about 214-acre parcel.

Purchased in 2003, it mostly U-shapes around the County of Lambton-owned, 80-acre Western University Research Park lands.

Fernco – the Canadian distribution arm of Michigan-based parent company Cooper Company Inc. – has been in Sarnia-Lambton 32 years and has outgrown its current Phillip Street location, said Tracy Neifer, general manager.

Pending council approval, hopes are this move – the company’s fourth – will be its last, she said, as the 4.5-acre ask gives enough space for expansion.

“Based on my experience we seem to run out of room every 10 years,” said Neifer, who’s been with the pipe-repair couplings distributor since its inception.

It currently employs seven. That would rise to 10 at the proposed new 30,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution centre near Wellington and Modeland roads, she said. The number of employees would grow to 20 over time.

A potential expansion – likely a decade out, Neifer said – could employ another 15 when and if it happens, a city staff report says.

Link to the rest here.

Image Credit. Google Maps.

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