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
2 children dead, 6 injured after city bus crashes into daycare in Montreal suburb Laval, driver arrested
Two children are dead and six others are injured after a Laval city bus crashed into a daycare Wednesday morning. The driver of the bus, a 51-year-old man, has been arrested and faces charges of homicide and dangerous driving, police say.

NEW | 'There are no words': Laval daycare bus crash prompts outpouring of condolences on Parliament Hill
Condolences are pouring in on Parliament Hill after a Laval, Que., city bus crashed into a daycare on Wednesday morning, with federal politicians of all stripes expressing their sympathies with the families affected and gratitude to the first responders.
Netflix Canada begins password sharing crackdown
Netflix Canada is rolling out its long-anticipated plans to crack down on password sharing, saying it will begin notifying Canadian users today by email about limitations.
Bank of Canada releases details on interest rate decision for the first time
The Bank of Canada released a summary of its Governing Council meetings on Wednesday, providing the public and financial institutions with more insight into the central bank’s decision to raise its key interest rate on Jan. 25.
Health-care workers have new hand-washing guidelines. Here's how you can apply them
The way respiratory viruses have circulated this fall and winter, most Canadians could probably benefit from a hand-hygiene refresher. Here are the latest hand-washing best practices to apply in your daily life.
Labour shortages could push up wages, 'reignite inflation' in long run, report warns
Protracted labour shortages in Canada could fuel more rapid wage growth and inflation over time, potentially prompting the need for higher interest rates long-term, a new RBC Economics report released Wednesday said.
Awkward moment or conscious message? Political experts weigh in on Danielle Smith-Justin Trudeau handshake
An 'awkward' attempt at a handshake between Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and the prime minister Tuesday is another example of leaders from the western province hesitating before shaking Justin Trudeau's hand, say political experts.
Killer whale mothers take care of their sons much longer than their daughters. This could be why
The sacrifices female killer whales make for their sons well after they are weaned is negatively affecting their reproductive health, according to new scientific research.
Turkiye, Syria quake death toll nears 12,000
With hope of finding survivors fading, stretched rescue teams in Turkiye and Syria searched Wednesday for signs of life in the rubble of thousands of buildings toppled by the world's deadliest earthquake in more than a decade. The confirmed death toll approached 12,000.