BOUCHERVILLE, Que. — Canadian semitrailer manufacturer Manac has spent $9 million to acquire various assets of Trois-Rivires-based trailer builder Fabrex, which was previously owned by a subsidiary of RailAmerica.

The transaction, completed in the final days of 2000, includes the acquisition of a plant with an area of approximately 100,000 sq. ft. in Trois-Rivires, Que., the Fabrex brand name as well as a certain quantity of raw material and finished product inventory. The Fabrex line primarily includes aluminum dump trailers and specialized waste disposal units.

According to Manac’s president, Gaston Bureau, the Fabrex acquisition will allow the company to expand its product line and will enable Manac to concentrate the fabrication of its recently launched aluminum platform trailer at the new facility.

Bureau says he anticipates production to reach 500 units during the first year and the number of employees is expected to gradually increase to 75 people.

Manac is Canada’s largest manufacturer of semitrailers with a market share of over 30 per cent. The company operates facilities in Ville de Saint-Georges and Saint-Prime, Que. as well as Orangeville, Ont. and it employs 1,100 people.