Springer Aerospace near the Sault enters CCAA, but says no danger it will shut down
An aircraft maintenance company near Sault Ste. Marie is beginning restructuring proceedings.
Springer Aerospace is working with the company’s primary lender and key stakeholders as it works through the Companies’ Creditor Arrangement Act (CCAA) process.
At the same time, they’re attempting to reassure the public the company is not in danger of shutting down.
Springer Aerospace has been open since 1972 and is a major employer in the region. However, the pandemic negatively impacted the company to the point that it is seeking creditor protection.
“The employees don’t get affected, the clients certainly don’t get affected,” said vice-president Christopher Grant.
“We’re restructuring our financial balance sheet, and as a result, we’ve instituted the CCAA proceedings and we’ll be in this for a few months. But we’ll come out stronger for sure in the new year.”
Springer Aerospace, which currently employs around 100 people, specializes in converting passenger aircraft into cargo planes.
“We paint planes, we do heavy maintenance, we do engine work, we do pretty much everything a plane requires,” said Grant.
Theo Niemandt, director of maintenance, recently moved to Canada from South Africa. He said he’s impressed at the size of the operation.
“For where we are, in the middle of northern Ontario, for the amount of work and stuff that we do is pretty cool,” Niemandt said.
“I just fell in love with the place and I decided this is what I’m going to be doing.”
Grant said the company currently has about two years worth of contracts.
“We’re booked up quite a bit in advance and we’ve got a lot of work for these guys,” said Grant.
“This restructuring is a very welcome process that we look forward to going through.”
Area mayors have expressed some worry about the future of the operation, and they said they will be watching the situation as it unfolds.
Grant said it’s too early in the restructuring process to know exactly how it will impact the business, but he reiterated there is no cause for concern.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
EXCLUSIVE | Gay man taking Canadian government to court, says sperm donation restrictions make him feel like a 'second-class citizen'
A gay man is taking the federal government to court, challenging the constitutionality of a policy restricting sexually active gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned.

Quebec woman shocked to find stolen Audi driven through Ontario mall in 'insane' robbery
A Quebec woman said she was very surprised to find her stolen Audi had been used in what’s being described as an “absolutely insane” Ontario mall robbery.
Actor Ryan Reynolds surprises students during tour of Toronto college
Canadian Actor Ryan Reynolds dropped by a Toronto college on Wednesday, surprising students in the midst of a school project.
Former CBC journalist dies after random attack on Toronto street, new suspect photo released
A long-time CBC radio producer who was the victim of a random assault in Toronto last week has died, the public broadcaster confirms.
Militant who killed 101 at Pakistan mosque wore uniform
A suicide bomber who killed 101 people at a mosque in northwest Pakistan this week had disguised himself in a police uniform and did not raise suspicion among guards, the provincial police chief said on Thursday.
EU officials visit Kyiv as Russia strikes civilian target
Top European Union officials arrived in Kyiv on Thursday for talks with Ukrainian officials as rescue crews dug through the rubble of an apartment building in eastern Ukraine struck by a Russian missile, killing at least three people and wounding about 20 others.
Candice Bergen, former interim Conservative leader, resigning from Parliament
Candice Bergen, the former interim leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, is resigning from Parliament.
Hockey team of preteen Ukrainian refugees arrives in Quebec City for tournament
A team of preteen Ukrainian refugees that have been scattered across Europe by war arrived Wednesday in Quebec City, where they'll get the chance to compete in a renowned hockey tournament.
Help still needed for Ukrainian refugees: Community organizers
Nearly a year since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, community organizers say there is still work to be done to help the thousands of Ukrainian refugees looking to start a new life in Canada while coping with the hardships they've faced coming here.