Mass timber manufacturer Element5 has announced plans to expand its operations in St. Thomas.

The $107-million project will double the site’s production capacity, boosting domestic supply of sustainable building materials to meet the rising demand for affordable, modular housing. The expansion also features a new facility equipped with a fully automated Glulam (glued-laminated timber) production line.

The company says the investment will create 150 new jobs.

Mass timber construction has been gaining popularity in both housing and non-residential projects in North America. It offers a low-carbon, renewable alternative to concrete and steel used in building structures, while enabling faster construction speed.

Element5 has supplied materials for nine affordable housing projects to date. A notable example is a four-storey, multi-unit supportive housing building in Kitchener that took only one year from design to completion. The company’s portfolio also includes commercial, industrial and municipal projects such as North America’s first mass timber-constructed warehouse in Brampton.

“This expansion represents a bold step forward for Element5, our partners and the mass timber industry in Canada,” said President Chris Latour. “We are proud to provide innovative, sustainable building solutions that help address Canada’s urgent need for affordable, climate-friendly housing and infrastructure.”

By increasing production of Glulam and cross-laminated timber (CLT) made of lumber sourced in Northern Ontario, Element5 says its expansion contributes to strengthening the province’s forestry sector and regional economies, while reducing the reliance on imported building materials.

Element5’s plant investment will be supported with a loan of up to $8 million through the Invest Ontario Fund.