OTTAWA — Surgeson Grain Handling has filed for bankruptcy, leaving a slew of debts after not paying some suppliers and employees for months.

Owner Bruce Surgeson operates three other businesses, including one in Cornwall and Surgeson Electric in Ottawa. He filed for bankruptcy on April 6. Ottawa accounting firm KPMG listed outstanding debts of $582,317. Not included in that figure is $130,000 that former employee Peter Patenaude says he is owed and is launching a lawsuit to get it. Patnenaude has since started his own company, Advanced Grain Handling Systems, with a partner, at Brinston, south of Winchester.

It is unclear how Surgeson’s company collapsed, as the team of installers were in high demand across eastern Ontario.

Claims from unpaid creditors include $200,000 from the Royal Bank, $34,548 from Canada Revenue Agency and a South Dundas and Community Development loan of $35,000.