Sarnia Lambton Industrial Alliance was established in 2010 as a result of an in depth study spearheaded and completed by the Sarnia Lambton Economic Partnership (SLEP). The purpose of this study was to address the downward spiral that the economy of Sarnia Lambton was facing. Some of the Petrochemical giants were relocating elsewhere creating a 30% unemployment rate in trades. Skilled trades were leaving the area to work out west; local businesses were negatively affected experiencing difficulties in having qualified individuals to service the remaining industries. The study done by SLEP identified the need for small and medium businesses to get together to promote their business and to get our economy back on its feet. A cluster of local businesses was formed led not by SLEP but by the industry members.
The ultimate goal of this Industrial Alliance was not only to promote each other locally but more importantly to put Sarnia Lambton on the map for customers outside of this area. The group consider themselves “cutting edge experts” that are capable of providing services in Sarnia Lambton as well as across Canada and globally.
Rick Perdeaux is chair of the board of directors and says: “We currently have 39 Alliance members representing engineering, machine shop services, environmental services, custom metal fabricating, industrial pipefitting and boiler making, specialty industrial painting, waste management, project feasibility studies, solutions for process and other types of manufacturing industries just to mention a few. We have also received government funding for training and marketing which serves as a catalyst for people to communicate and network. The Ministry of Trade is very receptive in supporting our efforts. With almost 40 companies involved the government is really listening to us. The bottom line is we are trying to keep our trades working and living locally. Thousands of skilled trades have moved west over the past 15 years. At any given time 200-300 are working in Western Canada on temporary contracts in any given week. They have their families and homes in Sarnia Lambton and by us trying to keep them working here the additional pay-off is that they will be spending their money locally as well”. A win-win situation!
Rick also wants to confirm that the Alliance is moving on with a dedicated plan. An example to illustrate this plan is that local manufacturers/industrial fabrication businesses are an exact match to the needs of Alberta based companies. The Alliance is also looking into the needs of the Maritime provinces. $100 billion in Maritime Capital projects is to be developed in the near future and the Alliance has started to make contacts which may lead to future business opportunities.
Sarnia is known for its world class safety and highly qualified trades serving primarily the larger companies in Sarnia Lambton. While spreading their wings outside of Sarnia Lambton the Alliance businesses are still here to continue serving Imperial Oil, Suncor and Shell that have been officially recognized as household brand names in Sarnia Lambton.
For more detailed information on the member companies of the Sarnia Lambton Industrial Alliance the website is www.sarnialambtonindustrialalliance.com A list of the Executive is also available and able to introduce your business to any member company that would be able to serve your business’s needs.