Roshel CEO says he's buying Brampton Stellantis plant to produce civilian and military vehicles - Toronto Star

Founder Roman Shimonov hints at European automaker deal and says critics have it all wrong saying company will expand plant options.

Roshel CEO Roman Shimonov says he is puzzled by the negative reaction to his armoured vehicle manufacturer buying the Stellantis plant. It was “idle for almost four years,” he says. “So, what is the alternative — to continue waiting?”   

It’s expanding its options, not disappearing.

That, says Roshel founder and CEO Roman Shimonov, is his message to critics who have slammed his company’s purchase of the idled Stellantis plant in Brampton. 

Shimonov says he’s buying the 2.95 million square-foot Brampton facility with hopes of producing vehicles for both military and civilian use.

“The plan is not to change the purpose of this plant,” Shimonov says, “but to keep it as an automotive plant with amazing capacities and capabilities and to add on top of that the defence production that is required by our allies and by our domestic needs.” 

Stellantis announced Monday that it had reached a firm agreement to sell its Brampton assembly to the armoured vehicle firm, after signing a tentative memorandum of understanding in September.