Petmin temporarily suspends site activity until weather breaks
The COVID-19 global pandemic has stalled or delayed a number of construction projects across the country. And while the current operating environment has also posed challenges to the development and construction of Petmin’s Ashtabula manufacturing facility, the company remains fully committed to the project having invested $60 million in the project to date.
However, the decision has been made that work on site will be placed in a temporary holding pattern over the remaining winter season, allowing the company to manage through the pandemic’s consequences.
“As everyone well knows, this has been a historic disruption that has negatively impacted construction projects based on numerous factors including supply chain disruptions, labor force impacts, office closures, travel restrictions and so forth,” said Bradley Doig, President & CEO, of Petmin USA. “We are pausing temporarily as a short-term precaution. While we can’t predict exactly how the pandemic will play out in 2021, we do believe this short break in site activities will allow our extended global team additional time to work through these various pandemic-related challenges.
“Given the significant investment of both time and capital made to date, our board and shareholders remain fully supportive of the project. We look forward to reassembling our global teams in the spring to keep the project on track,” he added.
Doig said he expects the pause to last no longer than four months and that all partners and contractors have been notified and are extremely supportive.
“No one could have anticipated what’s happening with the pandemic,” said Jim Timonere, City Manager of the City of Ashtabula. “We are encouraged Petmin is committed to completing this project despite the adversity in the worldwide construction market, and we will continue to work hand-in-hand with them to ensure completion of this critical project,” said Timonere.
“While Petmin’s construction in Ashtabula is being delayed due to COVID-19, we are confident this project will be an example of how close collaboration can help move critical investments like this forward in Ohio,” said Dana Saucier, JobsOhio vice president and head of economic development. “We and our partners appreciate Petmin’s ongoing commitment to this project, and we look forward to working closely with the company as it brings a state-of-the-art facility and 110 new jobs to Northeast Ohio.”
Doig said he was extremely grateful to Petmin’s multiple private and public sector partners for their continued support during a turbulent 2020, and said that despite the difficulties, significant progress has already been achieved, that will assist in an efficient ramp-up in the Spring.