Peterborough mayor Jeff Leal says an American manufacturer’s decision to close its Peterborough plant is “deeply disappointing for our community.”
On Tuesday (July 14), Woodward Inc. told employees at its 2000 Fisher Drive plant that it would be gradually relocating production from Peterborough to the company’s plant in Krakow, Poland.
The Peterborough plant will close in August 2027, affecting 165 employees.
Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, Woodward Inc. designs and manufactures energy conversion and control solutions for the global aerospace and industrial markets, and also provides military devices and other equipment for the defence industry.
The company operates 15 plants in North America, one in Brazil, eight in Europe, and six in the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. The Peterborough plant is its only Canadian facility.
Just last July, Woodward acquired the Peterborough plant from France-based aircraft equipment manufacturer Safran Electronics & Defense, which produced aircraft landing gear, steering control units, engine controllers, and engine data management technology to record fault data at the plant.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Mayor Leal was clearly blindsided by Woodward’s closure announcement.
“As recent as earlier this week, we were coordinating with Woodward for a site visit with provincial stakeholders,” the mayor said.
He noted that, on June 23, Woodward participated in the inaugural meeting of the Peterborough Aerospace and Defence Cluster, a new regional network focused on supporting the growth of Peterborough’s aerospace and defence sectors and supply chains.
“Woodward is a member of that collaboration of local businesses and organizations,” the mayor said. “We were taken by surprise by Woodward’s announcement that it will relocate production to Poland.”
Peterborough MP Emma Harrison and Canada’s defence minister David McGuinty visited Woodward’s Peterborough plant last November, where McGuinty said the federal government’s increased defence spending would help create jobs at plants like the one in Peterborough.
In a statement, Woodward said it reviewed “operations, financial goals, and anticipated customer demand” and “determined the Peterborough site is not suited to support future growth,” noting that the Krakow plant has the capacity to support growth, is close to key suppliers, and is better located for serving European customers.
The company added that some engineering support based in Peterborough will also move to the company’s plant in Sofia, Bulgaria.
“We recognize the real impact this move has on the people working at our Peterborough site and are committed to managing the transition thoughtfully and respectfully, as well as in line with our obligations,” the company said.
In his statement, Mayor Leal said the city has “engaged with the employment services agency operated by Fleming College and with the Ministry of Labour to support activities that will help affected employees transition to new jobs.”
“At that recent Peterborough Aerospace and Defence Cluster meeting, we heard from several businesses that are looking to hire specific skillsets in this area,” the mayor said. “I’m hopeful that the affected Woodward employees who want to stay in this region can land with one of the other employers that are hiring highly skilled employees in that sector.”
Leal noted that American power and propulsion manufacturer Fairbanks Morse Defense last week finalized its acquisition of the Rolls-Royce Naval Handling facility in Peterborough, which will serve as the company’s Canadian headquarters.
“We’re seeing investment and growth in the defence industrial sector,” he added. “Woodward’s decision is disappointing. Over the next year as Woodward moves its operations, we’ll work with all our partners to support the transition for the affected employees.”
Woodward’s closure announcement is only the latest blow to Peterborough’s manufacturing sector.
Last June, Siemens Canada announced it would be moving its Peterborough manufacturing operation to Concord, affecting 160 jobs over two years. Two months later, Coca-Cola announced it would be discontinuing its frozen products line, resulting in production line layoffs at its Minute Maid facility in Peterborough.
Outside of the manufacturing sector, Lufthansa In Touch announced last July that it was closing its Fisher Drive call centre, affecting 400 employees.
