Shercom Industries, a Saskatoon-based tire recycler in operation since 1993, has announced the layoff of 79 employees, attributing the decision to market pressures and changes in Saskatchewan’s tire recycling program. Shercom, which turns used tires into rubber products like tiles, curb ramps, and mats, has been affected by Tire Stewardship of Saskatchewan’s (TSS) decision to redirect end-of-life tires outside the province, impacting the company’s long-standing operations.

The layoffs, effective December 2, follow a previous round that saw 40 full-time employees released from tire collection and processing roles. President Shane Olson noted that the decision had been made months prior, in compliance with provincial labor laws, and had no connection to recent political developments. Many of the affected employees have long tenures with Shercom, some exceeding two decades.

Olson expressed concern over the impact of TSS's program changes, which awarded the provincial tire recycling contract to a U.S.-based company, requiring Shercom to import crumb rubber from other provinces. Since this shift, Saskatchewan has not produced crumb rubber locally, resulting in job losses and economic repercussions for the region. Olson estimates that the change has led to the elimination of 120 jobs and will have a multi-million dollar impact on the provincial economy.

Despite the challenges, Shercom remains committed to recycling and repurposing tire materials, emphasizing its role in diverting millions of pounds of material from landfills through innovative recycled rubber products. Olson highlighted the company's 30-year history of transforming hazardous tire waste into sustainable resources, noting that Shercom’s facilities, including a $20-million processing plant opened in 2016, were developed with government support to manage provincial tire recycling needs.

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