Roshel founder Roman Shimonov defended the company’s plan to buy the idled Stellantis plant in Brampton and said he is willing to rehire some laid-off workers.
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The chief executive of armoured vehicle maker Roshel defended the company’s deal to purchase the idled Stellantis plant in Brampton, Ont., calling it "the best thing that can happen to this plant and to this city."
Speaking at a news conference Monday evening, Roshel founder Roman Shimonov said he was surprised the government has not publicly supported the sale despite Roshel’s intention to create thousands of jobs at the facility.
Shimonov said he doesn’t "see any reason to be opposed to that" and said his Brampton-based company is willing to hire back some of the 2,000 Stellantis employees laid off when the plant halted operations in 2023.
Unifor national president Lana Payne questioned the choice of the Brampton assembly plant and cast doubt on the scale of hiring Roshel would need, given that workforce was employed there under Stellantis.
Stellantis announced the sale of the facility and associated equipment to Roshel for an undisclosed amount late Monday afternoon. The companies said they expect the transaction to close by the end of this year, subject to certain conditions, including government and regulatory requirements.
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