MIRAMICHI, N.B. – Opportunities NB and the New Brunswick government are investing up to $1 million to support a $10-million upgrade of Arbec Forest Products’ production facilities in Miramichi.
The investment will secure new equipment and technology for a facility that produces oriented strand board for the construction industry. It is expected the new equipment will increase productivity and quality control, maximize raw materials, be more environmentally-friendly and improve overall competitiveness.
“Opportunities NB and the Province of New Brunswick have been real partners in our efforts to grow production at our Water Street facility,” said mill manager Les Flett. “We have enormous confidence in the skills of our workforce here in Miramichi and we hope that the more than $10-million worth of capital investments we are making speak to that very clearly.”
The provincial investment of up to $1 million is in the form of a non-refundable contribution, with $500,000 coming from Opportunities NB and $500,000 from the Miramichi Regional Economic Development and Innovation Fund.
“It is encouraging that a company like Arbec is interested in making new capital investments of this size,” said Transportation and Infastructure Minister Bill Fraser, who is also minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation. “It is a real testament to the continued growth of the New Brunswick economy and to the productivity of the workforce here in Miramichi. These are exactly the kind of investments that the government should be supporting.”Opportunities NB is a Crown corporation that seeks to attract and support opportunities to grow the economy and create jobs.
Production at Arbec’s Water Street plant has significant secondary economic benefits by supporting jobs in the forestry and transportation sectors.
“Opportunities NB and the Province of New Brunswick have been real partners in our efforts to grow production at our Water Street facility,” said mill manager Les Flett. “We have enormous confidence in the skills of our workforce here in Miramichi and we hope that the more than $10-million worth of capital investments we are making speak to that very clearly.”
Arbec purchased the Miramichi plant in 2011 and began production in 2012 following renovations. The company currently employs 124.