MacTara

On task in rural HRM

A sharp downturn in the U.S. housing market and the strong Canadian dollar forced MacTara Limited in Upper Musquodoboit to shut down its sawmill and lay off 100 of its 160 employees in December 2007

To mitigate the negative effects on MacTara and its employees, the Greater Halifax Partnership became involved in a task force formed specifically to assist the sawmill. While MacTara worked to secure a buyer for its operation, the Partnership and the Nova Scotia Department of Education co-chaired a Transition Team that supported employees affected by the layoffs.

In addition to coordinating training programs and career counseling services for former MacTara employees, the Transition Team contacted businesses in the Halifax Regional Municipality, in Colchester County, and in East Hants to determine existing staff complements and identify current or upcoming staffing needs and then put on a job fair involving those employers who would benefit from the skills and training that the former MacTara workers had to offer.

In early 2008, Enligna AG, a German company with a focus on renewable energy, bought MacTara Limited. The new owners hired 60 former MacTara employees with the majority of the remaining displaced workers being linked to job opportunities elsewhere.

"The Greater Halifax Partnership has been an active member of this task force from the beginning with the intention of assisting employees affected by the events at MacTara. Their ability to pull the business community together and gain access to services has been beneficial," said Gordon Shupe, President & CEO. "Through the Greater Halifax Partnership's involvement in this transition team, MacTara has been able to draw on these contacts for the purpose of solidifying key components of a plan to restructure operations in Upper Musquodoboit. This type of involvement demonstrates the true sense of partnership within Halifax. The anticipated rebuild of this plant is exciting and positive news for this rural location."