The layperson would be forgiven for thinking Plaintree Systems, one of Arnprior’s largest employers, was in trouble. It sold off one of its seven businesses last year, Arnprior Firetrucks. And it recently issued a press release announcing a delay in filing its annual financial statements because it couldn’t afford to pay the auditors.
However, nothing could be further from the truth, according to CEO David Watson. The high-tech fire truck manufacturing still takes place at Plaintree’s location, and the new owners haven’t told him of plans to move it. More importantly, though, is that last year’s slump in sales — across all its businesses — caused by sluggish markets has been replaced by significant highs.
“Right now, we are absolutely booming,” Watson said. “It’s been a really dramatic turnaround.”
The company of about 125 workers and 15 engineers is looking to hire more salespeople, engineers, plant people, and technicians. Its steel supplier is struggling to keep up with Plaintree’s demand, he added.
“Right now, we are absolutely booming.” David Watson
A major reason for the turnaround has to do with its Triodectic business. It builds geodesic domes for the commodities sector, primarily mining. The sector usually asks for one or two of the roughly $3 million domes per year. In the last six months, now that the mining has picked up again worldwide, Triodectic has accepted three orders. And it expects a few more in the near future. Other operations under the same roof — aerospace parts maker Hypernetics, telecommunication light-beam provider Plaintree Free Space Optics, and hydraulic cylinders producer Spotton — are also moving along. The company also owns aerospace Summit Machining in Pennsylvania. But the recently-acquired Madawaska Doors is struggling. “We are still trying to get production levels up,” Watson said. “Every door is custom-made. We are trying to increase production to keep up with sales while retaining the high quality people have come to expect.” A delay in filing statements is “very common” in Plaintree’s business, and it won’t result in any penalty. The auditors are now getting to work. The annual general meeting will be held as usual in September.