Glass firm moving into former plant

A Fortune 500 company is moving its Toronto-area operations to Barrie.

Pittsburgh-based PPG Industries will be setting up its glass plant at 200 Fairview Rd., occupying approximately 80,000 square feet of the 300,000-square-foot location which once housed Bemis Manufacturing.

Building owner Peter Moore said Midland's Franke Kindred Industries recently took about another one-quarter of the building for distribution.

Moore bought the building last December.

It had been largely vacant since Bemis closed its Barrie location.

"We finally have some international companies coming back," said Moore, who operates about a dozen commercial buildings locally through his PBM Realty Holdings Inc. "This could be a total of about 100 jobs.

"I think it's good news for Barrie."

PPG will be moving in gradually, while the landlord renovates the space according to the company's needs.

Moore expects they'll be fully operational by January.

PPG will be bringing in large sheets of glass for cutting. The glass will be driven directly into the building where it will be safely unloaded.

Company officials were unavailable for comment on Monday.

Local commercial realty broker Linda Loftus said she's been working on the deal to bring the manufacturer of glass and insulating panels to Barrie for about a year.

The union shop is moving from its current location on Caledonia Road in North York. Employees will be invited to move locations with the company.

"The significant cost savings is taxes," Loftus said.

Moore expects 60 to 80 people will be employed at PPG in Barrie and another 20 at Franke Kindred Industries.

The Franke group specializes in sinks and other kitchen products.

The building has another 150,000 feet of space available and Moore said there has been interest expressed.