FedDev Ontario contributes over $1.9M to PPE company in Waterloo
by CM Staff
Swenco Ltd. will create 24 new high-quality jobs in Waterloo Region, growing its team from 18 to 42 employees.
On Apr. 13, Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth and MP for Waterloo, announced a FedDev Ontario repayable contribution of over $1.9 million for Swenco Ltd., a manufacturer and distributor of components for the safety footwear industry, to expand operations for the full-time production of COVID-19-related PPE.
In response to Canada’s fight against COVID-19, Swenco Ltd. has established a second Waterloo-based facility dedicated to the full-time production of surgical face masks for domestic and international supply. With this investment, the company outfitted its new facility with a certified clean room and specialized manufacturing equipment for mask production. As a result, Swenco Ltd. will produce 7.6 million masks per month upon project completion, with more than 75 percent of the masks to be sold domestically to aid Canada’s COVID-19 relief efforts and increase domestic production capacity.
This project is leveraging an additional $3.8 million in other investment in Waterloo, and strengthening regional supply chain spending by sourcing material from local suppliers. With Government of Canada support, Swenco Ltd. will create 24 new high-quality jobs in Waterloo Region, growing its team from 18 to 42 employees.
“The Government of Canada is committed to enhancing our domestic and international supply of certified PPE with made-in-Canada solutions. Through FedDev Ontario, today’s investment in Swenco Ltd. again answers the call to action to ensure vital equipment is available for essential frontline workers across Canada, while creating jobs right here in Waterloo Region.” said Bardish Chagger, Member of Parliament for Waterloo.
