Province to invest $7.8M in seven Windsor, Ont. auto parts companies

WINDSOR, Ont.—The province of Ontario has announced plans to invest $7.8 million in more than a half dozen southwestern Ontario manufacturers.

Aiming to support the province’s auto parts industry, the funds will go toward facility expansions and the purchase of new equipment at seven companies in the Windsor-Essex region.

“Manufacturing is a key economic driver for Ontario,” Deb Matthews, MPP for London North Centre, said. “We are pleased to help support these forward-thinking companies’ investment projects, which will bring high-skilled jobs to the region and grow our reputation for excellence in automotive manufacturing.”

The investment is expected to create 270 jobs at the handful of manufacturers, while retaining nearly 1,200 others.

According to the government of Ontario, the investments in each company are as follows:

• Astrex Inc.—Ontario is investing $1.5 million to help Astrex (a joint venture of Can Art Aluminum Extrusion and Constellium) produce high-strength alloys for the automotive sector. The project has a total value of $28.4 million and requires a new facility, equipment, and training, resulting in the creation of 62 new jobs over four years.
• Essex Weld Solutions—Ontario is investing $450,000 to help Essex Weld Solutions expand and acquire state-of-the-art fibre optic laser cutting machines to increase production and implement robotic welding processes. Essex Weld Solutions manufactures custom and standard automotive racks. The project has a total value of more than $4.5 million and will create 20 jobs and retain 110 positions over three years.
• Integrity Tool and Mold—Ontario is investing more than $1.1 million to help Integrity Tool and Mold upgrade equipment to produce higher quality and more precise molds than what are currently on the market. The company makes plastic injection molding primarily for the auto sector. The project has a total value of more than $16.6 million and will create 52 new jobs and retain 317 positions over three years.
• JD Norman Canada—Ontario is investing more than $480,000 to help JD Norman Canada invest in new equipment to improve product quality and ramp-up production. The company makes connecting rods for the automotive sector. The project has a total value of more than $4.8 million and will create 14 jobs and retain 85 over five years.
• Lakeside Plastics—Ontario is investing $1.28 million to help Lakeside Plastics purchase new machinery and equipment to expand their capabilities and improve competitiveness. The company manufactures plastic automotive interior trim parts. The project has a total value of $12.8 million and will create 55 jobs and retain 305 positions over almost four years.
• Ventra Group—Ontario is investing $1.5 million to help Ventra Group upgrade facilities and purchase new equipment. The company stamps, welds and assembles metal automotive parts. The project will incorporate an experimental high-strength steel new to the automotive industry. The project has a total value of more than $31.9 million and will create 37 jobs and retain 179 positions over four years.