Sandvik celebrates 150 years, more than 35 in Arnprior
Posted Feb 2, 2012 By Sherry Haaima
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EMC Business - Celebrations held Tuesday in Arnprior to recognize the 150th anniversary of Sandvik were much like the ongoing experience of those who work there - management, staff and workers coming together for the ultimate success.
Courtesy of Garlough Photo'
Sandvik management, staff and workers join guests outside the plant Jan. 31 for a flag-raising and anniversary event marking the Sweden-based company's 150th anniversary. Formerly Noranda, Sandvik opened in Arnprior in 1975.
Sandvik Materials Technology Canada, part of the Sandvik Group headquartered in Sweden, has its own storied history in Arnprior, starting out in1975 as Noranda. The plant makes stainless steel tube, strip, wire and bar and high-alloyed steel and specialty metals.
Arnprior Mayor David Reid, a guest at the Jan. 31 celebration at the plant, said it was fitting to share the town's 150th birthday with an industry that has been such a big part of the community over the years.
Reid, who grew up around the corner and can recall the plant being built in the 1970s, helped general manager Mike Hall raise a special anniversary flag and addressed the crowd before a buffet lunch for the workers and guests.
"It's a very proud day for us all. Thank you very much for being a part of Sandvik and the community of Arnprior," said Reid. "We look forward to more celebrations in the future."
Hall welcomed the group of guests and visitors, which included recent retirees.
Hall, himself a relatively new addition to the Sandvik team, thanked all those in attendance for their role in the plant's success and for coming together to celebrate the milestone.
Highlights over the years
Norm McLellan started out as an electrician pretty much back in the beginning, seeing it as a job with opportunities for advancement. Now maintenance manager, McLellan has nothing but good things to say about Sandvik.
"It's been a very good company to work for," says McLellan. "I think the success of the whole plant is because of the people who work here."
Employees, staff, management - all have found a way to work together.
"We're very team-oriented," says McLellan.
The same basic product is being made, it's the technology to make it that has changed over the years. Sandvik is a very diversified company, says McLellan.
Sandvik supplies its tubes to a variety of industries, including chemical, petrochemical, pulp and paper, oil and gas, power, semiconductor and aerospace.
"We've responded very well to market demand over the years," he says.
More than 200 people work at Sandvik, from Arnprior and Renfrew and other parts of the Ottawa Valley and the city of Ottawa.
People come to Sandvik and stay there, evidence that it's a good company to work for, say employees.
The boxes of newspaper clippings, photos of the plant and even snapshots from company events show the camaraderie grew with the success of the business.
Such has been the case for machine shop lead hand Brian Purdie Sr., whose two sons have come to work at Sandvik. "I've been here since day one," says Purdie, who started in October 1975. The plant has celebrated the retirement of several originals of late.
"If it wasn't a good place to work, we wouldn't still be here," he said.
Shift supervisor Doug Newton is a relative newbie to Sandvik, starting two years ago when he relocated from Windsor.
He found not only a good job but a great group of people to work with and a good community in which to raise his family. He sees a positive future for the company.
"Overall it's been a positive experience," says Newton.
See Page 7 for more anniversary coverage.
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