Going south
TRURO, N.S. - One of Truro’s oldest operating manufacturers is relocating to the United States, eliminating approximately 240 local jobs.
“It was a little bit of a kick in the gut,” Truro Mayor Bill Mills said of the phone call that came Tuesday afternoon. “That’s not quite the kind of news we were looking for today.”
The Tandus Centiva plant on
Willow Street — formerly Crossley Carpets — is shutting down, with jobs going to the U.S. The carpet factory has been in operation in Truro since 1964 and now is owned by Tarkett North America.
“Earlier today, we informed our employees that Tarkett North America will be closing our manufacturing plant in Truro, Nova Scotia, effective July 16, 2019,” the company said Tuesday afternoon in an email to
Mills, Colchester County Mayor Christine Blair and other stakeholders.
“As one of our valued stakeholders, we wanted to share that this was not an easy decision and it is not a re ection of the calibre of work done by our Truro team,” the company said in a statement issued through the National Consulting Group.
“A business decision has been made and our manufacturing operations will be relocating to Dalton, Georgia.”
The company has sister operations in Georgia and Mills said one of the reasons he has heard for the move is to improve operational ef ciencies.
Blair also expressed surprise and concern about the announcement.
“That’s a huge, huge blow to this area,” she said. “A lot of people have worked there for a long time.”
Truro-bible Hill-millbrook-salmon River MLA Lenore Zann said she was completely taken aback by the news.
“This is a devastating loss for those who work at the factory, their loved ones and the wider community,” she said in a news release. “This company is one of the largest employers in
Truro and having over 240 people faced with unemployment as of this summer is dif cult to imagine.”
Despite the alarming aspect of the news, Mills said he was taking the high road on the issue and is trying to remain optimistic in the chance that something constructive will develop in response to the shutdown.
“As shocking as it is, I feel there will be some opportunities present themselves,” he said.
On one hand, Mills said, he believes there are local manufacturers who are looking for skilled workers, while the carpet facility itself could provide new opportunities once it becomes vacant.
Mills said he has requested a meeting with company of cials, which he is hoping will take place by next week.
“We want to discuss things going forward with the building itself and the future of the town,” he said. “On the upside, that building has been well maintained. We’ve got a good facility.”
“I feel for the workers and right now it may feel like the bottom has dropped out,” he said. “The job losses are quite substantial (but) I’m optimistic we are going to bounce back from this.”