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NEWS RELEASE
December 11, 2023
Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
WINDSOR — The Ontario government is welcoming a $35 million investment by Bobaek America Inc., a Korean electric vehicle (EV) parts manufacturer, to build a new manufacturing facility in Windsor, specializing in battery insulation panels and cell sheets for EVs. Bobaek’s investment marks the company’s first entry into the North American EV supply chain and will create 144 new jobs in the region.“
Our government continues to build up Ontario’s auto and manufacturing sectors by creating the right conditions to attract multi-national companies,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “With support from the province’s Regional Development Program, Bobaek’s investment will serve as a critical link in building our end-to-end EV and battery supply chain, affirming Ontario’s position as a leader in building the cars of the future. Thank you, Bobaek for choosing Ontario as your launchpad into the North American market.”
The new, 71,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, expected to open in June 2024, will include state-of-the-art equipment to produce the insulation panels and cell sheets needed for EV batteries, including pressure moulding and sensor cutting machines, tape assembly, silicon pad cutting and packing automation lines, and 3D measuring equipment. As part of this investment, the government is providing $1.5 million in funding through the Regional Development Program’s Southwestern Ontario Development Fund.
“We are pleased to announce that Bobaek is establishing its first North American manufacturing hub in Windsor, Ontario,” said Mr. Dongjo Seo, President of Bobaek C&S Headquarters. “The plant’s output should be able to cover the entire North American market. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all the individuals who have provided much assisstance in enabling us to settle in Windsor.”
Through the Regional Development Program, Ontario is investing $140 million to help companies like Bobaek establish and grow their operations within the province. To date, Ontario has provided more than $120 million to support more than 100 projects through the program, leveraging more than $1.2 billion in new investments and helping to create more than 2,300 jobs in the province.
Quick Facts
The government launched the Regional Development Program for Eastern and Southwestern Ontario in November 2019. Businesses and municipalities can get financial support and guided access to a range of complementary services and supports.
In 2022, the government launched the Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness stream of the Regional Development Program. It supports advanced manufacturers across the province, including those in the automotive, aerospace, chemical, life sciences and steel sectors, to invest in the equipment, advanced technologies and the skilled workforce needed to improve competitiveness and growth, and to create and retain jobs across the province.
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
“We are thrilled to see another major supplier commit to our collective vision of creating an EV cluster in the City of Windsor. Significant investments like this one from Bobaek America Inc. are creating quality local jobs and helping to support an EV battery manufacturing and supply chain base that builds on previous investments to secure Windsor’s status as the Automotive and Automobility Capital of Canada. We thank Premier Ford, Minister Fedeli and the Provincial Government for continuing to create innovative opportunities like the Regional Development Program that are attracting new investments and creating new jobs in our city and the surrounding region; Invest WindsorEssex for supporting these initiatives; and, of course, the Bobaek team for this investment in the growth of Windsor and Ontario.”
– Drew Dilkens
Mayor of Windsor
“Bobaek’s investment in Windsor-Essex as their first entry into the North American EV supply chain further solidifies our position as a global leader in manufacturing and next generation vehicle production. This investment adds to the region’s continued growth and economic prosperity and we are thrilled that Bobaek will play a major role within our automotive ecosystem. Thank you to Minister Fedeli and the Province of Ontario for your continued support for Windsor-Essex.”
– Stephen MacKenzie
President and CEO, Invest WindsorEssex
“I want to truly thank Bobaek for creating these 144 incredible careers and for their significant $35 million investment in the City of Windsor that further builds our EV manufacturing sector. The continued investments by the Province of Ontario in our local industry will cement the Windsor-Essex region at the forefront of advanced manufacturing worldwide.”
– Andrew Dowie
Member of Provincial Parliament for Windsor—Tecumseh
“We are thrilled to welcome Bobaek’s $35 million investment in our region. This demonstrates our government’s commitment to fostering a thriving business environment, creating jobs, and reinforcing Ontario’s position as a leader in the electric vehicle supply chain.”
– Anthony Leardi
Member of Provincial Parliament for Essex
Media Contacts
Vanessa De Matteis
Minister’s Office
Vanessa.DeMatteis@ontario.ca
Media Relations
Communications Branch
economy.media@ontario.ca |