Big news out of Chesley this morning.
Bayshore Broadcasting News has learned GRS Wood Products Incorporated of China has purchased the former Durham Furniture Plant in Chesley — and will start hiring workers immediately.
Arran Elderslie Mayor Paul Eagleson tells us they knew negotiations were underway for the past few months, but couldn’t say anything until now as the company worked out final details on the purchase.
Eagleson says the new owners plan on hiring 50 workers immediately and eventually plan on employing some 300 workers in Chesley.
GRS Wood Products has two big wood manufacturing plants in China employing about 500 workers, and has a 44 thousand square foot warehouse in Toronto offering over 150 different flooring products.
Eagleson says right now, the new owners are working on getting visas for some 20 workers from China, who will train the first 50 workers and help fire up the wood kilns at the plant.
Some new equipment has been ordered and should be installed soon at the old Durham Furniture plant.
That plant has been closed since 2008.
