Ontario invests in five manufacturers across Chatham-Kent

CHATHAM, Ont.—The Ontario government has earmarked more than $2.5 million for five expansion projects at manufacturers across Chatham-Kent in southwest Ontario.

Steven Del Duca, the province’s Minister of Economic Development and Growth, was at auto industry supplier Dana Canada late last week to make the announcement, which is expected to create about 70 new jobs in the largely rural municipality east of Windsor.

The projects include:

• A $10.3 million expansion at Aarkel Tool and Die, which supplies General Motors, Toyota, Honda, BMW and Ford. The company plans to buy new manufacturing equipment as well as integrate its office and manufacturing space as part of the work. The government contribution amounts to just over $1 million. Aarkel is targeting 2019 to complete the work, which it says will create 15 new jobs.
• The Barry Callebaut Group, a chocolate and cocoa producer, plans to scale-up its Chatham plant as part of a $3.4 million project. The province is kicking in $339,000 in funding. The food company is also aiming to complete the project by 2019. It expects to create 10 new jobs.
• Dana Canada will spend approximately $7.3 million to install a new high-output production line for the heat shields it builds for the auto industry. The project is expected to create 14 new jobs at the plant by the time it wraps up in 2020. The Ontario government has committed $662,229 to the work.
• Mine equipment manufacturer Rulmeca Canada plans to add 21,000 sq. ft. of floorspace to its facility in Wallaceburg, Ont. using $499,550 in funding from the province. The company has set aside $4.5 million of its own funds for the project, which will also allow it to bring in a robotic welding cell, an assembly press and a paint line system. The expansion will create 21 new jobs by 2021.
• Finally, Waltron Trailers plans to spend just over $1.1 million to add space to house assembly lines and painting operations at its Ridgetown, Ont. plant. The trailer maker will add 10 positions at the plant over the next year as it expands the site by 6,360 sq. ft. The Ontario government will support the project with $113,000.