Dieppe park gets first business

Dieppe's new industrial park is not yet finished, but its first occupant is already planning to move in.

Malley Industries,maker of ambulances, police cars, vans for disabledpassengers and other specialty vehicles, has bought the first piece of land in the industrial park located near the Moncton airport.

Terry Malley, the head of Malley Industries, said the six-hectare lot he purchased represents a dream come true.

The company was established in 1979 and last yearproduced 900 vehicles. Business is booming, Malley said,andthe companyneeds a bigger building.

"We're getting more and more interest from other companies and non-automotive fields to produce plastic components for them both here in Canada and in the U.S.," he said Friday.

Malley plans to diversify in avariety of directions, including furniture and aerospace, in a $6.7 million expansion.

"Oh, I'm very excited. Scary, but it's exciting. We've been working on this project for three years."

Malley recalled the day 26 years ago, when he built his first ambulance and dreamed of developing the strong business he has today.

"You dream about it, yeah," he said. "The reality and the dream are often two different things, but in a way, we're living the dream."

He plans to start building the new plant Monday and to move into it in the fall.