CIMC Refrigerated Trailer Company plans to build another production line in Sarnia this summer.
Chief Operation Officer Alex Wang told Sarnia News Today that with the company's development, another production line will be created with a focus on truck body manufacturing.
"The production line layout has [been] designed, and we have started to purchase equipment and tools since last month," said Wang in an emailed statement. "We will install this production line around August and start to build [the] truck body from [September]."
However, the production schedule will depend on whether or not the shop is ready on time.
The company is renting a 33,000 square foot shop, located next to its current facility, for the new product. About 40 people will be needed for the new production line.
The China-based company announced plans to build its first Canadian manufacturing location in Sarnia-Lambton back in 2020.
There are currently about 85 employees. However, the company has faced supply chain and labour challenges.
"Our customers are satisfied with our products, quality and delivery is good even in such kind of global supply chain issues," said Wang. "We have been facing the labor shortage issue, especially [as] it is very hard to hire skilled assemblers, welders even [as] we raise our entry-level pay rate to $18.00/hour, plus $3 to $4 bonus for full attendance employees."
Wang said the turnover rate is high as the average pay rate is $20 per hour plus bonuses.
The product backlog has also extended to the second quarter of 2023.
Anyone interested in working at CIMC can submit a resume to the plant manager, Andy Wang, at andy_wang@cimc.com.
With files from Melanie Irwin