Crawford County to Hire 54 new employees

Canada-based Arriscraft International is doubling the size of its masonry manufacturing facility in Crawford County.

The company plans to spend between $8 million and $10 million to add 50,000 square feet to its existing 55,000 square foot facility, said David Boles, the company’s president and CEO.

Arriscraft expects to add 54 new jobs near the end of the next year to the current 113 employee base at the Crawford County plant, Boles said.

“We’re looking at…the scale and scope of our operation in Georgia to very much mirror what we have here in southwestern Ontario…which is four times as large as the plant here, he said.

The company manufactures a masonry product- a cross between quarried stone and brick- used in residential and commercial buildings. Arriscraft has been in business since 1954, Boles said.

“Currently the vast majority of our product is used in commercial applications, in things like hospitals, universities, government buildings, condominiums,” he said. “We are looking at greatly enhancing our position in the residential market.”

Arriscraft opened the Crawford County facility in 2002 and demand for the manufactured stone building products has exceeded current production capacity, he said. This plant is the company’s only U.S. facility.

Attempts Wednesday afternoon to reach a representative of the Development Authority of Crawford County were unsuccessful.

Arriscraft plans to begin construction of its addition early next year, Boles said.

“We’re in the midst of selecting contractors,” he said. “We’re very excited to get this under way.”

To contact writer, Linda S. Morris, call 744-4223 or email lmorris@macontel.com