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Former UBE plant doing tests for Porsche
Sarnia Wheels Inc. in the former UBE Automotive plant is up and running. A web site called Linked says a former quality manager at Alcoa Wheels Products, Buddy Rowles of Collingwood is heading up sales and quality control for the new company which began operations in the last two months.
The privately held company has 12 employees.
A source says the company; in conjunction with Alcoa are testing wheels for upscale automaker Porshe AG of Stuttgart, Germany.
Rowles was formerly employed at Alcoa until a year ago when he moved to Sarnia. A graduate of Fanshawe College in London, Rowles began his career at Michelin and worked for Reynolds Metals before joining Alcoa. His Linked web information says he left Alcoa Wheel Products Beloit in June of last year joining Sarnia Wheels in August.
Sarnia Wheels Inc. took over the former UBE Automotive plant on UBE Drive in Sarnia's business park last December.
At the time, real estate broker Ken Poore who completed purchase of the 350,000 square foot plant described the principals behind Sarnia Wheels as having "worldwide experience in the manufacture and supply of auto parts for some of the world's best known brands".
Poore refused to disclose ownership of the new company saying only that it is Canadian.
Japanese - owned UBE Automotive shutdown production last September.
The principals behind Sarnia Wheels Inc. confirmed through Poore that the plant would be restarted and would manufacture wheels. Most of UBE's equipment was sold to Sarnia Wheels with the building and property.
A source told First Monday "everything involving the new company is hush hush".
In late July, Porsche, which has five models ranging from $50,000.00 to $152,000.00, unveiled a "surprised concept" car, the Porsche 918 Spider plug - in. Initial reports indicate the car will sell for more than $600,000.00.
August, 2010
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