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That streamlining would result in its manufacturing division shutting down on Oct. 15, resulting in about 150 layoffs, while its power division — which employs about 40 people — will continue operating in Saskatoon, the company said.

After learning that the plant’s manufacturing division was shutting down, one of the affected employees said in a now-deleted Facebook post that employees “saw it coming but didn’t know how bad it was going to be.”

“They are closing the doors on my shop. I am employed until October 15, after that they are putting the chains on the gates and I will have to find work elsewhere,” the employee said in the post.

On Monday, MHPS vice president of North American manufacturing Sam Suttle confirmed that manufacturing employees completed the factory backlog and subsequently ceased operations.

MHSPCA, which makes heavy equipment used in the power, energy and industrial sectors, opened its Saskatoon plant in 1988 with about 30 employees. By 2005, the facility had grown to cover 210,000 square feet and employ about 300 people.

Moen said it was “quite a coup” for a global company to build a major manufacturing facility in Saskatoon, and that its willingness to invest in the city was important to and a source of pride for the business community.

An MHPS spokeswoman said in August that the company was “exploring the different options regarding the future of the facility in Saskatoon.” The 21-acre complex is now on the market, with a list price of $19.95 million.