Made In Welland

JANUARY 2021: WINTER

Welland steel factory replacing ‘heart’ of operation with ‘best available technology’

Valbruna ASW Inc. president Tim Clutterbuck. KRIS DUBE / TORSTAR

A major capital investment being made at Valbruna ASW Inc. in Welland will form and solidify a bright future at the 102-year-old steelmaking factory, says president Tim Clutterbuck.

Formerly known as Atlas Steels and later ASW Inc. after a number of changes in ownership, the company was purchased in October 2019 by Valbruna, a company headquartered in Italy that also has a facility in Indiana.

In summer 2021, the melt shop’s electric arc furnace, built in the mid-’70s and upgraded once in the late ’80s, will be replaced by a much more modern, state-of-the-art model, Clutterbuck said.

“It’s going to increase our efficiency, improve our cost effectiveness, and improve our environmental footprint.

Rebar fabrication facility coming to Welland’s River Road Industrial Subdivision

Ground was broken this week on a 1,188-square-metre (12,787-square-foot) rebar fabrication facility to be built in Welland’s River Road Industrial Subdivision that will bring about $8.26 million in private-sector investment to the city.

“This is good news, it’s another industry in Welland,” said Mayor Frank Campion, Thursday.

A large mound of earth sits at the back of the site where Kit Steel will build a 1,188-square metre rebar fabrication facility in Welland’s River Road Industrial Subdivision. O’Hara Trucking and Excavating Inc. is preparing the site for Kit Steel. DAVE JOHNSON / TORSTAR

Kit Steel is the company behind the facility going up on a 1.32-hectare lot in the subdivision, bordered by River Road to the west, a set of train tracks to the east, Downs Road to the south and Youngs Sportsplex to the north.

Campion said it’s great to have a company like Kit Steel come to the city.

Developer expects to ‘start moving dirt’ on Dain City subdivisions in spring

City of Welland general manager of infrastructure and development services Travers Fitzpatrick, left, Empire Communities president and CEO Daniel Guizzetti, Stephen Armstrong from Armstrong Planning and Project Management, Mayor Frank Campion, and acting CAO Steve Zorbas at city hall Wednesday. CITY OF WELLAND

A residential developer with plans to build close to 2,500 homes and contribute $10 million for a new Forks Road bridge is expecting 2021 to be a busy year.

Empire Communities signed a memorandum of understanding with the city Wednesday to support two subdivisions moving forward in Dain City – one on the eastern side of the south Welland area and another at the former John Deere lands.

President and chief executive officer Daniel Guizzetti said in an interview Wednesday that the Dain East development, consisting of a proposed 1,400 homes off Forks Road East between the Welland Canal and a rail line that borders the east side of the former John Deere property, will get started first.

Developer will help pay for new

Forks Road Bridge in Welland

Empire Communities will contribute to building a new bridge over Welland Recreational Canal in Dain City, city council heard recently.

That’s good news for residents in the area and Niagara, said Ward 6 councillors Bonnie Fokkens and Jim Larouche.

PHOTO: DAVE JOHNSON / TORSTAR

The contribution, estimated to be at least $10 million, was part of a memorandum of understanding reached between the developer and City of Welland.

Empire is looking to build up to 1,405 news homes off Forks Road East between the Welland Canal and a rail line that borders the east side of the former John Deere property.

Up to 1,000 homes could be built on the former John Deere property, land owned by Empire as well.

Starbucks one of three chains moving into new Welland commercial space

A new commercial space on Niagara Street in Welland that will include a new Pizza Hut Express, Starbucks and Sleep Country Canada. KRIS DUBE / TORSTAR

Three major chains — Starbucks, Sleep Country Canada and a Pizza Hut Express — will be setting up shop in a new commercial space on Niagara Street in Welland, in a lot next to MT Bellies.

Greg Chew, Colliers International’s leasing agent for the site, confirmed that Starbucks and Sleep Country Canada will be tenants.

In a listing on the commercial real estate agency’s website, the new Pizza Hut is named as an upcoming occupant, and there is one unit still available at the property.

MedCare Clinics Announces Opening of New Medical Clinic in the South Pelham Market Plaza in Welland

MedCare Clinics, a growing Canadian healthcare franchise based in Southern Ontario, has opened the doors to their newest healthcare facility location on 589 South Pelham Rd. in Welland, Ontario, specifically inside the South Pelham Market Plaza.

Located in a high traffic retail location at the intersection of South Pelham Rd. and Thorold Rd., and in close proximity to Niagara College, South Pelham Market Plaza offers more than 12 brand name stores such as Sobeys and Shoppers Drug Mart. This makes it a perfect location for a new medical clinic and provides convenience for many local citizens and students. “MedCare Clinics sets a high standard for community health care” says Operations Manager Kelly Cooke. “Our entire team offers top-quality, patient-centred services to people of all ages. We strive to be the independent, comprehensive primary care medical clinic of choice for our community's healthcare needs. Patients can have access to late evening and weekend appointments and expect compassionate healthcare 7-days a week, 365 days a year.”

Mississauga distillery moving into

temporary home in Welland as it seeks

land for larger plant

A Mississauga-based vodka distillery is moving operations to Welland.

Quick responses from Welland’s economic development department and Mayor Frank Campion sealed the deal for the company’s move to the Rose City from Mississauga, said Dan Degazio, general manager of economic development, recreation and culture.

On Tuesday city councillors supported an application for a manufacturer’s “by the glass” licence for NB Distillers/Liq’D Sprits, at 36 Darte Dr.

The company was formerly known as Canadiana Organic Distillery Corp. but changed to NB Distillers with new owners. A website is in the process of being developed.