Orillia based plastic product manufacturer Polyethics Industries tells CTV News that several staff have been laid off. The company says 118 employees have been temporarily laid off and says bringing them back is top priority. “We know this means real worry for people and their families, including many who have been with us for years. We do not take that lightly,” said Eda Dereli, the company’s marketing manager, in a statement to CTV News. The company set up shop in Orillia in 1991 and is owned by a “third-generation Orillian.” It produces garbage bags, agricultural plastics, food packaging, industrial packaging and more. The company cites tariffs as the reason for its layoffs. “For years, customer demand kept our Canadian production sold out, allowing us to invest in technology previously available only in the U.S.,” Dereli said. Polyethic also owns a secondary facility in Ohio, which the company claims allows for it to serve U.S. customers within “their own market.” “We can now manufacture the same quality bags consumers expect from the big name brands, right here in Canada,” Deleri said, adding “the “elbows up” spirit is helping turn that opportunity into new customer relationships." “Bringing new customers into production takes longer than losing one due to tariffs,” she said. The company says its relying on the financial support of its customers to help at this time. “The government has promised support but that promise has not translated into the assistance we need. Despite the sales we have secured, neither government assistance nor bank financing has been available to bridge this transition.” Deleri said. “Our employees are feeling the consequences of that shortfall,” said Deleri. “Our focus is on bringing those orders into production and our people back to work,” the statement reads.
