WINNIPEG — A heavy equipment supplier has opened its newest location at CentrePort Canada, allowing it to operate at greater capacity on a new five-acre site.
SMS Equipment, which provides heavy equipment for use in construction, mining, forestry and other heavy industries, is increasing its workforce by about 25 percent in preparation for the expansion.
“The new CentrePort highway gives us a great route to the Perimeter and allows us to get in and out of the City of Winnipeg more easily,” said Greg McKee, operations manager for SMS Equipment in Winnipeg and Thunder Bay. “The area has changed… they are putting in a Mercedes Benz dealership down the street. Our business doesn’t mix very well with retail,” he added of the company’s former site.
“One of the benefits of an inland port is it provides a prime location for transportation heavy industries to grow their operations without disrupting neighbouring communities,” said Diane Gray, president and CEO of CentrePort Canada Inc. “It allows us to retain new private investment and add more jobs without creating other traffic problems. We are pleased SMS Equipment has chosen CentrePort as its new site.”
SMS Equipment’s new location at CentrePort’s Brookside Business Park is in one of two new “build for lease” buildings recently completed by Calgary-based Olexa Developments.
