Ontario investing in London-area manufacturers

PHOTO: Manufacturing/Getty Images

LONDON — The Ontario government is supporting an investment of nearly $43.2 million by London-area manufacturers to strengthen domestic manufacturing and agri-food production and attract investment in the local economy. The province is investing more than $6 million in five London-area businesses through the Regional Development Program, which will purportedly help to create 134 jobs and retain 133 jobs.

“Through the Regional Development Program, our government is making targeted investments in local manufacturers to help them create good, local jobs,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “These projects are making a significant impact in communities and economies across London and Southwestern Ontario by helping to secure private-sector investments to create conditions for long-term economic growth and build an economy that makes Ontario the best place in the world to do business, work and raise a family.”

Shogun Maitake is investing more than $31.2 million to build a new production facility in Thames Centre, which will process Maitake mushrooms for the agri-pharm and bio-pharmaceutical industries. With $4.5 million from the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund, the company will purchase new processing equipment for a new facility that will enhance productivity and make production more efficient.

Attica Manufacturing is investing more than $5.3 million to acquire new capital equipment and modify its production facility in London, which will support market diversification and the commercialization of new products. With $531,000 from the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund, the company will purchase and install new CNC machinery, welding and welding position equipment, and lifting magnets. The project will help the company improve its efficiency and capacity, while also creating 15 new jobs and retaining 48 existing positions. Attica manufactures complex machined parts, providing services to customers that include: prototype and production machining; conventional and CNC machining; assembly, welding and fabrication; and engineering and mechanical design.

Algonquin Bridge is investing more than $3.5 million to make plant improvements and robotics purchases that will allow them to produce made-in-Canada products. These products will include compatible bridge products and optimized modular panel bridges, differentiating them from their competitors. With $525,000 from the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund, the company will create 10 new jobs and retain 29 existing positions in Thorndale. Algonquin Bridge, founded in 1996, designs and manufactures steel bridges. The company’s core business is selling and renting modular panel bridges, pedestrian and vehicular bridges in Canada.

Arva Industries is investing more than $2.1 million to expand its plant in St. Thomas and purchase equipment for the engineering design and build of 12 hybrid rail-bound crane cars for New York City Transit. With more than $312,000 from the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund, Arva Industries will be more efficient and meet delivery dates on this milestone contract – the company’s largest to date. The project will create six new jobs and retain 49 existing positions. Arva Industries is an Ontario-based company with global reach, manufacturing underground mining and railway maintenance equipment for the transportation industry.

Planet Shrimp, a brand of RAS Technologies, is investing nearly $1.1 million in new processing equipment at its Aylmer facility to dramatically increase production and enable the company to offer de-headed, de-veined, and peeled shrimp as requested by retailers and foodservice customers. With nearly $163,000 from the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund, RAS Technologies will create 43 new jobs and retain five existing positions. The company grows shrimp from the post-larvae stage to maturity, to be sold for consumption.

“The Elgin-Middlesex-London region is home to a world-class manufacturing sector that represents a critical component of the provincial economy,” said Jeff Yurek, MPP for Elgin-Middlesex-London. “I am very pleased to see the continued innovation and growth these businesses are bringing to our community as we prepare for a strong economic recovery.”