Province commits more than $6 million to support local businesses
The Ontario government announced $6.5 million worth of investments to several manufacturers to help launch expansions of their respective plants.
The funding for the projects is being provided through the province’s Regional Development Program.
In Tilsonburg, the province is supporting a $27-million investment by auto parts manufacturer THK Rhythm Automotive Canada Limited to purchase advanced manufacturing equipment, including automated machining and assembly centres to manufacture steering and linkage components.
With $1 million from the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund, the company also plans to expand its Tillsonburg plant by about 13,000 square feet to provide the necessary space to improve the flow of material throughout the production process, in turn reducing costs.
“The grant funding received will be used to support the technology investment that THK is making in our Ontario manufacturing facilities,” said John W. Cummings, North American Operations Director for THK Rhythm Automotive. “This includes the installation of state-of-the-art machining and assembly centres which will be required to launch the new automotive business that has been awarded to THK.”
In Kitchener, the province is investing a further $1 million to support barbecue manufacturer Onward Manufacturing Company Limited. The company is making an investment of $17.8 million to expand its manufacturing facility to support growing global demand for its Broil King gas barbecues. The expansion and the funding are expected to help create nearly 160 jobs.
“As a family owned and operated business based in Waterloo for over 130 years, we work passionately to deliver on our promise to our customers,” said Colin Kirvan, Vice President of Product Management at Onward Manufacturing. “Regional Development Program support is helping us to enhance our factory operations here in our hometown. We are excited to enhance our production capabilities and expand our reach for our global brand Broil King while benefiting the local community.”
In Muskoka Region, the province has committed $843,000 to two business to help with expansion projects.
Icarus Aero, which provides customized engineering, certification and manufacturing solutions for rotary and fixed-wing aircraft, is investing $3.2 million to increase the size of their Gravenhurst facility by 9,000 sq. ft. and purchase new equipment.
The province’s investment of $480,000 will help the company will create eight new jobs. The upgraded space and equipment will allow the company to increase productivity and expand into new global markets that require niche product design and manufacturing.
Meanwhile, metal fabricator Embertech Industrial is investing nearly $2.7 million to upgrade and expand its project facilities in Bracebridge. The company will also move forward with the commercialization of a new hydroelectric microturbine for use in private or commercial settings where a river or stream is available that can be harnessed for clean, renewable energy.
The province’s investment of $362,897 will help the company create 10 new jobs.
Finally, in Orangeville, two businesses will share in $3.2 million from the province to supplement a combined investment of $22.6 million in their facilities.
Hofmann Plastics Canada plans to build a 41,000-square foot automated warehouse that will improve their efficiency and increase their production capacity to manufacture packaging using thermoforming and injection moulding techniques. With the province’s investment of $3 million, the company will create 16 jobs.
Röchling Engineering Plastics plans to spend more than $2.6 million to add a fourth plastic extrusion line to their current operation. The company produces high-quality thin gauge printable polyethylene sheets used in the graphics industry. The new line will add 2.2 million pounds of additional graphic capacity.
The province has pledged $241,678 to support the company’s investment.
Ontario is investing more than $100 million through the Regional Development Program from 2019 to 2023 to support distinct regional priorities and challenges. The program provides cost-shared funding to businesses, municipalities, and economic development organizations to help local communities attract investment, diversify their economies, and create jobs.