Montreal sawmiller EACOM celebrated 70 years of production at its Nairn Centre sawmill, just west of Sudbury, on Sept. 8.
Before employees, families, partners and members of the community, EACOM marked the milestone with a legacy gift to the Township of Nairn and Hyman by adorning the municipal entrance signs with artifact saws and landscaping to evoke the township’s forestry heritage.
“On behalf of council and the citizens of Nairn and Hyman Township, I would like to thank EACOM for their generous donation and to congratulate the mill on its 70 years of operation," said Mayor Laurier Falldien.
"When industry, businesses, volunteers and council all work together good things happen as will be evidenced by the enhancements to our town welcome signs."
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The mill was established by Myron Austin and Benjamin F. Merwin on the banks of the Spanish River in 1949. The original 19-person crew has grown to a workforce of 170 in forest management, woodlands operations, production, maintenance and administration. Annual production is 300,000 board feet of lumber.
“Reflecting on these modest beginnings and the rich history of Nairn Centre provides a strong legacy to continue building a bright future for our business and the community,” said EACOM Vice-President and COO Wade Zammit in a company news release.
“Any company that has been in operation in Northern Ontario for 70 years is definitely doing something right," said Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Mike Mantha. "Such success is only possible with strong commitment from everyone from the top of the corporation to those who have their boots on the ground. It’s truly a team effort."
EACOM has other sawmills in Elk Lake, Timmins, Gogama, Ear Falls and an I-joist plant in Sault Ste. Marie.
