Province sprinkles $3.77M among 5 eastern Ontario manufacturers

TORONTO—Ontario is partnering with Canada Candy Co., Muskoka Rock Co., Panolam Industries, Armada Toolworks and Mariposa Dairy to create 110 new jobs and support 496 existing positions in the eastern region.

Jeff Leal, Minister Responsible for Small Business, made the announcement today at Canada Candy Company Inc. in Cobourg with Steven Del Duca, Minister of Economic Development and Growth, and Lou Rinaldi, MPP for Northumberland-Quinte West.

Canada Candy Co. is a consumer-packaged goods company that manufactures sugar candy confectionary for retail sale, re-packing and private label, and was the first candy company in North America to offer peanut-free, kosher and halal products. The company has built a state-of-the-art facility to make new types of gummy candies. With the new facility and equipment, the company is ‘in-sourcing’ the production of the high quality candy it is known for.

Armada Toolworks is one of the few auto component manufacturers in eastern Ontario. It specializes in door handle and interior systems including vents and speakers, and decorative trim components. The company will install a new assembly line and increase press capabilities of up to 1,000-tons to make higher-value large components, including glove boxes and door handles.

Mariposa Dairy produces cheese using 100 per cent Ontario-sourced goat and sheep milk. The company is the second largest goat cheese manufacturer in Canada and produces 20 cheese products. It’s investing in new automated equipment to increase the current processing capabilities by more than 60 per cent.

Muskoka Rock Co. is the largest manufacturer in Ontario that extracts and cuts Muskoka granite, which is finished into a full range of products with unique colours and textures for both interior and exterior use. The company plans to build a new manufacturing facility to shift production of premium granite from outside the province to Huntsville, Ont.

Panolam Industries designs, manufactures and distributes thermally fused laminate panels and high-pressure laminate sheets for cabinet and furniture manufacturers throughout the U.S. and Canada. The company is investing in retrofitting and upgrading of a manufacturing line that will improve plant productivity, address capacity constraints and increase exports to the U.S.

Quick Facts:

• Canada Candy Company: Ontario is investing $1,292,400 from the Eastern Ontario Development Fund, supporting an additional investment of $9,477,175 from the company. The project will create 29 new jobs, and is expected to be completed by February 2021.
• Armada Toolworks: Ontario is investing $652,500 from the Eastern Ontario Development Fund, supporting an additional investment of $6,362,500 from the company. The project will create 29 new jobs, help to retain 257 existing positions and is expected to be completed by December 2020.
• Mariposa Dairy: Ontario is investing $1,079,402 from the Eastern Ontario Development Fund, supporting an additional investment of $15,285,618 from the company. The project will create 18 new jobs, help to retain 85 existing positions and is expected to be completed by December 2021.
• Muskoka Rock Company: Ontario is investing $350,000 from the Eastern Ontario Development Fund, supporting an additional investment of $2,725,000 from the company. The project will create 15 new jobs, help to retain 16 existing positions and is expected to be completed by December 2020.
• Panolam Industries: Ontario is investing $398,900 from the Eastern Ontario Development Fund, supporting an additional investment of $2,260,500 from the company. The project will create 19 new jobs, help to retain 138 existing positions and is expected to be completed by December 2018.

Ontario is accepting applications for the Eastern Ontario Development Fund from qualified businesses that are growing and creating jobs. Sectors eligible for the fund include advanced manufacturing, food processing, life sciences, information and communications technology, tourism and cultural industries.