Collingwood Welcomes Evergreen Developments (North) Ltd.

Mayor Chris Carrier and Economic Development Officer Catherine Durrant are thrilled to welcome two new businesses to the Town of Collingwood. Evergreen Developments (North) Ltd., and a tenant of Evergreen Developments (North) Ltd., Barber Glass Industries Inc., a new manufacturer to Collingwood.

Evergreen Developments (North) Ltd., will be renovating 200 Mountain Road (the former Alcoa plant) into multiple tenancies for the purpose of manufacturing. Barber Glass Industries Inc., a new tenant of Evergreen Developments (North) Ltd., will be manufacturing architectural glass products for the safety glazing industry at this location. The Collingwood plant will produce a heat strengthened tempered and laminated glass. Barber Glass Industries Inc., is the largest tempered and laminated glass manufacturer in North America.
Mayor Chris Carrier, John Barber (Barber Glass) and Economic Development Officer Catherine Durrant welcomed Evergreen Developments (North) Ltd. and Barber Glass to Collingwood at a press conference held on Friday December 21, 2007.

John Barber stated that "Barber Glass has been committed to the glass industry by providing extraordinary service combined with a wide range of available products at competitive prices." "At Barber Glass, we turn ideas into glass, is supported by the most state of the art technologies available in the glass industry today." Barber stated.

Mr. Barber said that it will take approximately three to six months to renovate the plant with the intention of opening in August. Barber said a Job Fair will be held in February with the hiring process to begin in March. The plant will initially operate with a staff of 35, growing to approximately 60 when the operation is in full production. (Barber Glass employs 140 people at its Guelph location) Barber Glass will occupy 150,000 square feet of the factory and plans to turn the remainder of the facility into rental space.

"We looked at facilities in Brampton, Cambridge, Milton and Mississauga but at the end of the day we kept coming back to Collingwood" Barber said.

When they're marketing their company they'll also be marketing Collingwood"
-- Mayor Chris Carrier

Collingwood Mayor Chris Carrier said that the arrival of Barber Glass and Evergreen Developments (North) Ltd. validates what has been worked on at the council table. "You're going to see more investment here. This is where the growth is, in the niche marketing" added Mayor Carrier. "When they're marketing their company they'll also be marketing Collingwood" Carrier added.

"This is a very happy day for everyone in Collingwood
- Economic Development Officer Catherine Durrant

Collingwood Economic Development Officer Catherine Durrant has been working long hours to help finalize the deal to bring Barber Glass to Collingwood. Early meetings with Mayor Chris Carrier, Collus CAO Ed Houghton and John Barber reviewed energy needs and the cost effectiveness of electricity and water, along with discussions regarding Collingwood's available work force and the town's excellent track record for employee training and retraining. "This is a very happy day for everyone in Collingwood" Durrant said.
The former Alcoa Plant at 200 Mountain Road will now be renovated to house Barber Glass. John Barber says he hopes to have the plant in full operation by August, 2008.

Town of Collingwood Economic Development Office
105 Hurontario Street, Collingwood, Ontario, Canada, L9Y 3Z5
Telephone: 1-888-265-9663
cdurrant@collingwood.ca