New Ontario Brewing Company is re-tooling to become Pure North Medical.
The brewery is putting Bear Runner Blonde Ale on hold for a bit to produce hand sanitizer in response to the federal government’s call for urgently needed supplies.
Co-owner Mike Harrison says they’re hoping to make a couple thousand units a day.
“Our primary concern is ensuring that North Bay and region is supplied and that our health care, our fire departments, police departments, front-line workers at the grocery stores, LCBO’s and gas stations all have access to these products to help keep them safe,” he says.
The project will result in the recall of 10 staff and the hiring of 5 new staff to operate 2 shifts around the clock to ensure production.
Harrison says as a business owner it’s tough to tell people not to come to the brewery, but it’s necessary for a couple reasons.
“A) isolating our staff, making sure that they stay healthy so we can make this product even if the virus gets worse, and B) making sure that our staff aren’t interrupted while they’re doing very valuable task retooling,” he says. “We will not be handing any out from our own location, once it’s available it’ll be going into the local supply chain.”
The project came together in just a few short days.
NECO Community Futures Development Corporation says many others are playing important roles in this initiative.
They include the administration and engineers at iCAMP/Canadore College, Rod’s Heating, Donald M Seguin Construction, G&P Welding, Kins Brae Packaging, Vaughan Paper, Sharkey’s plumbing and Brew Culture brewing supplies amongst many others.
They say many of the providers donated and continue to donate their efforts to making sure the distillery/sanitizer plant gets up and running as quickly as possible.
City of North Bay staff and fire department are working to ensure a safe and fast refit of the space.

(photo by station staff)

 

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