Rising hydro prices did not chase Enviroshake out of Chatham.
That's according to a representative of the company that was named by the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce as 2017's Industry of the Year.
The company says production is moving to Michigan to focus on a different roofing line than the one they produced in Chatham.
Enviroshake is a manufacturer that makes roofing products from recycled material. The company was acquired by Atlanta-based Boral Industries in May. It was announced on Thursday that the plant will be closing, leaving about 50 workers without jobs.
"They made the decision to consolidate composite roofing into one brand and technology. We have a composite roofing product called Inspire, which is what we've decided to go with," says Marie Joseph, assistant general counsel for Boral Industries.
Joseph says Boral Industries already makes the Inspire line at the Metamora, Michigan facility.
She denies suggestions by Chatham-Kent-Essex MPP Rick Nicholls that the move is driven by lower hydro rates across the border. She says the company has decided to close to the Chatham plant and focus production in Michigan because it is "just easier to locate it there."
Joseph says the Enviroshake's plant in Chatham should be closed by the end of the year.
"It's going to be gradual, but we've told employees that some will stay through December," says Joseph.