The largest facilities in Eastern Canada manufactures horticultural grades of vermiculite and perlite with additional facilities planned for Windsor, Ont. Expected in production in late 2000.

Graham stated, "The acquisition of vermiculite and perlite will complement NORMISKA'S line of professional grade sphagnum peat moss, pine bark mulches and composts. They are mineral feed stocks which are blended with peat moss and bark in value-added, blended horticultural soil less growing mediums. "Growth sales for the full year to Dec. 31, 1989. Are projected at $5,000,000.

The plant site in Fort France on McIrvine Road, completed last year, is ideal to intercept truckloads of bark transported from Abitibi Consolidated mill on the way to the landfill. A 20-year supply of bark is being processed for sale into huge American Midwest horticultural markets.

Bulk bark is the best market demand for landscaping, decorating applications for pathways, golf course construction and developing parklands. The coarse texture is air-filled and allows a network for roots. Four different textures meet the needs of market nurseries and greenhouse retail markets.

Graham confides this area is dear to his heart since spending summers of eight to ten years of age camping at Pithers Point Park while his father studied inventory peat sources for the Ontario government. Graham, a second-generation exploration geologist met a friend John Arnold, while mining in the mid 80Ís; he had an accounting background. They decided to form a business, Normiska Peat Inc. to develop the beat bog of Miscampbell Township. The name was coined from northern and Miscampbell becoming Normiska using it for a strong influence.

Arnold is chairman and chief financial officer in partnership and Graham is president, chief executive officer. Third on the corporation management team is Vice-president Neil McKeown.

The Miscampbell muskeg, finest quality peat, has 1,445 acres with 175 acres groomed for production, removing trees and top growth. A five-foot deep drain to the ditch and smaller tap drains, controls water levels. The bog prepared for harvest is as level as a table as far as the eye can see. Harrows condition and loosen the top of the peat ready for the vacuum equipment to move in drawing up the peat into tanks which are dumped into a storage pile for trucks to remove to the plant site about 15 kilometers away.

As the peat is used the drain will be lowered another 1.6 meters (five feet) for harvesting which is estimated at three meters (10 feet) providing 80 years of production. One-tenth of a matter will be removed each year in harvesting, and to reduce the impact on the environment, sphagnum moss served in one are of the bog will be transplanted over the harvested site, "Graham advised.

From 6 to 36 seasonal employees are on staff. Newly appointed plant site manager, Dan Wright comes with extensive knowledge as economic development officer in the district, and has worked with Graham since 1991. Wright, a life-long resident of the area, serves in establishing relationships for the new peat and bark concepts of Northwestern Ontario.

Bill McDowell, the quality assurance manager, acts as consultant and draws on experience from his nursery business. Sean Abrams is plant foreman for the 1,500 square foot building in first phase operation. Bob Hammond manages peat production on the bog, including a fire protection centre. Clare Brunetta, lawyer is legal council representative on the board.

Graham emphasized, "Normiska is run by local people, comfortable in the project which is part of the community. We're focused on how to manage growth with the V.I.L. assets to success and safeguard the environment.