ORANGEVILLE, Ont. – Workers at Manac’s semi trailer plant here got some good news recently, when they learned they’ll be returning to work a little sooner than originally expected.

The manufacturing plant in Orangeville, Ont. will re-open on Nov. 26, thanks to three new orders valued at $19 million for the production of approximately 900 van trailers. The 175 workers laid off on Oct. 12, were initially told to expect 31 weeks off – instead they’ll be back after only about six.

New orders were placed by West-Van of Mississauga, Muirs of Bolton, as well as an unidentified U.S. client. Production and delivery of the orders will extend through spring 2002.

“Honestly we’ll be back before too long,” assured Charles Dutil, executive vice-president, shortly before the orders were announced. “It’s due to our good market positioning.”

Manac’s backlog of orders currently stands at 1,740 units compared to 1,500 for the same period last year. The news comes close on the heels of Manac’s decision to double its direct sales force in the northeastern U.S. Dutil explains the company is taking an aggressive approach to the current downswing in truck and trailer sales. He adds when the market does turn, Manac will be perfectly positioned to capitalize on these newly constructed inroads in the U.S.

“I don’t expect to see a good turn around before next fall,” says Dutil, “but you must remember it has already been down for a year.”

He stresses the company is not in a wait-and-see mode despite the production jitters of late.

“Our all-aluminum platform trailer has been out for a year now and we’ve enjoy good success with it, we’ve had the market acceptance we expected,” he says. As well, he adds the recently acquired Fabrex line has been bolstered through several technical improvements and is now being handled by a dedicated sales representative in Ontario for the first time.