Future of Nova Scotia window company seems fragile

Though they’ve been manufacturing windows, the future of the employees of Alweather Windows and Doors is unclear.

Phone calls to the Dartmouth firm, in business for more than 40 years, are answered by an artificially generated recording, addressed to the company’s dealers.

“Please be advised that effective April 2, 2024, operations of Alweather Windows and Doors will be temporarily suspended until May 15, 2024. The complexity of the restructuring, combined with ramp up requirements to effectively restart operations have been challenging.

“Concurrently, we continue to work with Healthcare Integrated Technologies to close their acquisition of the operations, and provide incremental financing to support restart.

“This decision was not made lately, and we understand the potential impact to our valued employees and customers, but this temporary suspension of operations is a necessary step to ensure an effective restart and the long-term viability of the company.”

The recording ends with “Sincerely,” followed by the robotic voice reciting a few numbers.

Inquiries are directed to the G8 group of companies in Manitoba, a search for which comes up with an announcement that the group has sought creditor protection.

“The Manitoba-based G8 group of companies including such brands as Polar, Alweather, Accurate Dorwin, Allsco and National Interiors, has received protection from its creditors and entered into a court-supervised restructuring according to public documents posted by Deloitte,” says a statement from G8 director Stephen Segal.

“While it is not an ideal situation, the CCAA process will give our group the necessary time to develop and execute a restructuring plan and emerge in a manner to the ultimate benefit of all stakeholders. We remain focused on our employees, our suppliers, our customer and all stakeholders.”

Employees at Alweather were reportedly told during a Zoom meeting that they had been laid off without severance. The same recording answers calls to the Bridgewater location.

RYAN TAPLIN ■ THE CHRONICLE HERALD A sign on the doors of Alweather Windows and Doors in Burnside says the business will be temporarily closed from April 1 to May 15 due to an ownership transition.