FORT ERIE, ONTARIO (Jan. 11, 2:30 p.m. ET) — Injection molder Peninsula Plastics Ltd. overcame bureaucratic delays and is constructing an expansion of its operation in Fort Erie, Ontario.
“We had a lot of issues with the conservation authority because a flood plain is close to our property,” said Peninsula President Craig Bolton by phone.
Another problem was Peninsula's desire to build a 30-foot-high addition to its 20-foot-high plant. Building codes would have require costly reinforcement for the combined structure.
Instead, Peninsula opted to build a 25,000-square-foot building next to its 35,000-square-foot one and connect them.
“There was a lot of discussion about the rules that indicate what is an expansion vs. a different building,” Bolton said.
Bolton, Peninsula's owner, said the firm intends to finish the new building in March. It has bought two injection presses and plans to buy two more for the expansion. One of the new ones will exceed 1,000 tons of clamping force — currently the biggest size among Peninsula's 27 presses. Bolton did not reveal the cost of the expansion.
Peninsula is a custom molder for diverse industries and also does proprietary products for insect control, and makes edge protectors, spools and eyewear protection. It recently began making curbside recycling bins and expects that business to grow so much that it has set up a separate division for it.
Fort Erie Mayor Doug Martin was one of the municipal officials who convinced regional officials that Peninsula's plan should not be held back by red tape.