Ontario Celebrates $93 Million Boost to Oxford County Manufacturing
June 11, 2024
Expansion projects by four companies will create 187 new jobs
The Ontario government is welcoming $93 million in new investments from four Oxford County companies, creating 187 new, good-paying jobs across the region.
“Oxford County has a long history of manufacturing excellence, and thanks to continued investments in the region, that legacy will continue,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “As we position Ontario as one of the top jurisdictions in the world for companies to invest and grow, our government is proud to support local businesses as they expand and create new jobs in communities across the province.”
Through Ontario’s Regional Development Program (RDP) – a vital program designed to help manufacturers expand their production capabilities while aligning with distinct regional priorities – the province is investing $11.4 million to support these companies.
Oxford County recipients include:
- Vuteq Canada Inc. is a Tier 1 automotive interior and exterior parts manufacturer. With an investment of close to $40 million, Vuteq Canada will expand its manufacturing facility in Woodstock with injection molding machines, collaborative robots and camera systems using artificial intelligence. The project is supported by $5 million in funding through the RDP and will create 145 new jobs.
- Trans-Mit Steel Inc., a subsidiary of Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.) Inc., specializes in the precision slitting of thin gauge steel products, primarily used for electric vehicle motors and power and distribution transformers. Their investment of more than $23 million to expand their Woodstock facility is supported by more than $3 million in funding through the RDP and will create 17 new jobs.
- Armtec Inc. manufactures a range of infrastructure products and engineered construction solutions across industries like agriculture, infrastructure, and construction. Armtec will invest over $27 million to construct a new manufacturing facility in Tillsonburg. The project is supported by close to $3 million in funding through the RDP and will create nine new jobs.
- MTO Metal Products Ltd. designs and manufactures custom metal parts for the forestry, manufacturing, construction and supply chain material handling sectors. The company has invested $2.5 million in new advanced manufacturing equipment at their Woodstock facility, supported by more than $386,000 in funding through the Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness stream of the RDP, creating 16 new jobs.
With manufacturing employment in Ontario at one of the highest levels in 15 years, the province continues to attract significant investment from both domestic and international manufacturers.
Ontario is investing $160 million through its Regional Development Program to help manufacturers across the province grow while supporting distinct regional priorities. To date, Ontario has supported more than 120 projects through the program, leveraging more than $1.7 billion in new investments and helping to create over 3,200 jobs.
Quick Facts
The next intake round for RDP applications opens on July 2, 2024.The government launched the RDP for eastern and southwestern Ontario in November 2019. Through this program, businesses and municipalities can get financial support and guided access to a range of complementary services and supports.In 2022, the Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness (AMIC) stream of the RDP was launched to support advanced manufacturers across the province. Ontario is now providing additional funds to enhance the AMIC stream by providing more firms with the financial support and tools needed to improve competitiveness, while strengthening essential supply chains.As part of the 2023 Ontario Budget, the government introduced the Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit, which provides a 10 per cent refundable Corporate Income Tax credit to help local manufacturers lower their costs, invest in workers, innovate and become more competitive.
Quotes
“This is great news for Oxford. These significant investments in our area are a boost to our local economy and show our local manufacturers are playing a part in creating jobs and boosting the economy of Oxford and Ontario.”
– Ernie Hardeman
MPP, Oxford
“Our team is very excited about our recent investment in our building and equipment in Woodstock. This investment will allow us to add manufacturing capacity and improve efficiency. The much-appreciated RDP funding support provided by the provincial government will enable us to fast track the implementation of advanced technology and equipment for even further efficiency gains. As always, I am counting on our hard-working team members to ensure it is a success.”
– Ezio Andreola
President, Vuteq Canada Inc.
“On behalf of Armtec Inc., we greatly appreciate the support our company has received through the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF), which will contribute to the realization of our vision to establish a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Tillsonburg. Through working together, we can collectively drive progress, stimulate economic growth, and create opportunities for the residents and businesses in the community.”
– Paul Cunningham
President and CEO, Armtec Inc.
“To start a business takes entrepreneurship, a solid business plan and courage. To successfully run a business for 26 years takes great staff, great customers and great commitment. To sustain a business for the long term it needs a solid succession plan and a business-friendly government. MTO Metal Products Ltd now has all of this with a new management team led by Jason Boland, Shannon McFadden, Chris Tanner and Rob Johnson as well as recent strong support from our government to continue the growth trajectory we have enjoyed these past 26 years. “
– Bryan Remington
Owner, MTO Metal Products Ltd.
“We are very thankful for the support from the Ontario government which will contribute to the increased capacity and modernization of our facility and help support the local community with increased employees and the local supply base. We are proud of our products and services contributing to the supply chain that supports the electric vehicle and power grid markets, which are essential for our society’s decarbonization for years to come.”
– Akihiko Shichiji
President, Trans MIT Steel Inc.
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Ontario Continuing to Attract New Investments and Jobs
Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, issued the following statement on May 10’s employment release by Statistics Canada, which showed Ontario is leading the nation in job creation, adding 25,000 jobs in April, including 5,800 jobs in the manufacturing sector.
