Ontario Welcomes Nearly $20M in Manufacturing Investments for Windsor

November 22, 2024

Projects by four companies will create 29 new good-paying jobs in Windsor-Tecumseh

WINDSOR—The Ontario government is supporting an investment of $19.8M by four companies to boost local manufacturing and create 29 new good-paying jobs in Windsor-Tecumseh.

This funding was announced today by Andrew Dowie, Member of Provincial Parliament for Windsor-Tecumseh.

“Our government is building a strong Ontario and creating the conditions for a strong economy by supporting key investments in our community,” said MPP Andrew Dowie. “The investments made by Crest Mold Technology Inc., Select Tool Inc., Bears Performance and The Corporation of the City of Windsor will boost the local manufacturing sector and create better-paying jobs for workers and families in Windsor and Essex County.”

In support of these four investments, the government is providing $3.6M in funding through the Regional Development Program’s Southwestern Ontario Development Fund.

“Our government is proud to support local manufacturers across the province as they grow and create better-paying jobs in their communities,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “We thank Crest Mold Technology Inc., Select Tool Inc., Bears Performance and The Corporation of the City of Windsor for their investment and contribution to our province’s dynamic and growing manufacturing sector.”

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Bears Performance – Bear’s Performance Inc. is investing $3.7M to purchase new equipment to increase automation in its production processes, aiming to improve operational efficiency, boost productivity, and reduce reliance on outsourcing. This move will expand capacity and enable the company to handle more orders by improving control over quality and time-to-market. The goal is to achieve lights-out operation in certain production cells, streamline tooling changeovers, and enhance employee cross-training. These improvements are supported by $500,000 in funding through the RDP – SWODF and will create 5 new jobs.

Crest Mold Technology Inc. – CMTI is investing $8.7M to expand its operations and adopt equipment, including CNC machines, that will allow it to increase capacity and reduce labour-intensive processes. The project will also enable the company to make larger, more complex molds with the new machines and further develop its conformal cooling technology to overcome injection molding constraints.

This investment will see CMTI bring manufacturing capabilities in-house, reshoring work currently outsourced overseas and creating skilled jobs, increasing their competitiveness in North America. This expansion is supported by $1.3M in funding through the RDP – SWODF and will create 10 new jobs.

The Corporation of the City of Windsor – The City of Windsor is investing $4.8M to provide infrastructure upgrades and site servicing, which will support the construction of the NextStar Energy Inc. EV Battery Plant and adjacent municipal infrastructure areas. Key activities include demolishing the house at 3455 Banwell Road and consolidating it with surrounding lands, realigning the LaChance municipal drain and removing the existing private rail spur.

Additionally, the project includes upgrading drainage and pavement on EC Row Avenue East, constructing a cul-de-sac, and extending Twin Oaks Drive with new concrete pavement. All necessary permits will be obtained for these activities. This project is supported by $1.5M in funding from the Ontario government through the RDP – SWODF.

Select Tool Inc. – Select Tool Inc. is investing $2.5 million to expand its facilities by 26,000 sq. ft. and add new equipment to enhance operational capacity. The expansion includes the purchase and installation of a 5-Axis machine, CNC lathe, plasma cutter, cranes, material handling, and fabricating equipment to improve productivity. Additionally, the company will expand its manufacturing facility at 3015 North Talbot Road by 12,000 sq. ft. to alleviate congestion at its CNC machining facility at 3065 North Talbot Road. The expansion is supported by $375,000 in funding from the Ontario government through the RDP–SWODF and will create 14 new jobs.

Ontario is investing $180 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 135 projects through the program, leveraging more than $1.9 billion in new investments and helping to create over 3,500 jobs.

QUICK FACTS

As part of the 2023 Ontario Budget, the government is proposing a new Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit, which would provide a 10 per cent refundable Corporate Income Tax credit to help local manufacturers lower their costs, invest in workers, innovate and become more competitive.

The government launched the Regional Development Program for Eastern and Southwestern Ontario in November 2019. Businesses and municipalities can get financial support through the Eastern Ontario Development Fund and Southwestern Ontario Development Fund and guided access to a range of complementary services and supports.
In 2022, the Advanced Manufacturing & 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.

QUOTES

“Crest Mold Technology Inc., a leader in world-class injection mold manufacturing, is proud to announce a 7,000-square-foot expansion of its facility. This growth will accommodate state-of-the-art machining centers and advanced automation equipment, marking a significant step forward in enhancing operational efficiency and capacity. The newly integrated machining centers, coupled with cutting-edge automation, will Reduce downtime and streamline operations for greater productivity, boost efficiency and increase capacity to meet growing customer demands and elevate our precision, speed and size capacity to support entry into new markets. In addition to these operational advancements, the expansion will create 10 new skilled positions, further strengthening Crest’s commitment to supporting local talent and driving industry excellence. This investment, with the support of the province of Ontario, underscores Crest Mold Technology’s dedication to innovation and its vision to lead the industry into a new era of precision manufacturing.”

– Rose Cipkar

Owner, Crest Mold Technology Inc.

“On behalf of the City of Windsor, I extend sincere thanks to the Provincial Government and the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade for this significant investment in our economy, our community, and in Building Windsor’s Future. We have been awarded the maximum allowable funding of $1.5 million through the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund. This support makes it possible for the City to carry out site-servicing requirements for the EV Battery Plant to help prepare the site for occupancy, while supporting continued innovation and spin-off opportunities provided by the EV automotive sector. Windsor is one of the most important communities to watch in Ontario and Canada, and this investment supports the creation of around 3,000 well-paying jobs requiring a highly-skilled workforce, and thousands more through further business opportunities for the 450+ supporting firms and supply chain companies in Windsor-Essex.”

– Drew Dilkens

Mayor, The City of Windsor

“We are excited about the meaningful impact this opportunity will bring, serving as a vital foundation for our continued growth and success. It will drive our mission forward, enable us to advance cutting-edge CNC and automation equipment, and attract new talent to strengthen our elite team.”

– Keith Grondin

President, Bears Performance Inc.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

· Learn more about the Regional Development Program