By Michael Bennett | The Ridgetown Independent
Chatham-Kent’s Economic Development staff is waiting for answers from Hopkins Canada Inc. and First Brand Groups to figure out what support it can provide to about 50 workers who lost their jobs at a Blenheim manufacturing business.
On Friday, April 11, employees at Hopkins Canada Inc. showed up for work as usual.
They were promptly shown the door.
Instead of reporting to the floor, workers were directed to meet with two human resources representatives from Hopkins and First Brand Groups. This company purchased the Blenheim plant in November 2023.
According to a former employee who asked not to be identified, workers were told their jobs were terminated immediately, paid for the day, and received severance packages. They were allowed to collect personal items and were told to leave the premises.
Messages to the company’s head office were not returned.
It is believed that a handful of employees will remain at the Blenheim facility, which will be turned into a distribution centre for Hopkins and First Brand products. Manufacturing production will be moved to facilities in the United States and Mexico.
Stuart McFadden, Director of economic development for Chatham-Kent, said he, too, is waiting to hear back from the company.
“We have left messages in both Blenheim and their (Hopkins) head office in Kansas requesting a call so we can better understand what’s going on and figure out what supports we can provide,” McFadden said. “We’re just looking for a courtesy call to understand what support they’ve given to the workers.”
In the meantime, McFadden stated that displaced workers can contact the Goodwill Career Centre, 77-300 Lacroix St. in Chatham, in the business plaza at the VIA tracks (519-354-4400) for assistance.
The plant’s closing has naturally been the talk of Blenheim.
“A factory closure isn’t just about lost jobs; it affects families, local businesses and the entire fabric of our community,” South Kent Councillor Anthony Ceccacci, a Blenheim native, said about the difficult news. “My thoughts are with the employees and their families.”
“Their years of dedication and hard work have been a vital part of our local economy for decades upon decades, and I recognize the impact this decision has had on their lives,” Ceccacci said.
The plant manufactured a variety of automotive care and cleaning products for several brand-name companies.
George Mallory founded his namesake company in 1900. Mallory Industries provided jobs for Blenheim area residents, and its products were distributed across Canada, the United States, and around the globe for over a century.
The Mallory family sold the business to the American-based Hopkins Manufacturing in 2013, as the local plant was renamed Hopkins Canada Inc.
First Brand Groups, whose headquarters are in Rochester Hills, Mich., purchased Hopkins Manufacturing late in 2023.
However, Hopkins’ name has remained on the sign at the Blenheim plant since the sale and still greets workers on their final day.
Until Hopkins or First Brand Groups respond to requests from media and Chatham-Kent officials, it is unknown if the plant closure is connected to the threat of tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump or retaliations by the provincial and federal governments.
