Ontario celebrates grand opening of Walker Advanced Manufacturing Centre

Jul. 30, 2017 – The Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre in Welland, Ont., has officially opened.

The new Niagara College-affiliated centre provides students with more than 15,000 square feet of lab space for hands-on applied learning, innovation space for companies to work onsite and office space for Niagara students and industry staff.

The centre will also aim to help small and medium-sized manufacturers save on production costs and reduce production time by providing them access to equipment and research facilities as well as the expertise and business services of faculty and students.

“It’s an exciting day for Niagara College as we formally recognize how the province of Ontario’s investment and the donation from the Walker family has made it possible to provide manufacturers with increased access to leading-edge facilities, equipment, technical expertise, training and services, while increasing training and employment opportunities for our students,” said Dan Patterson, Niagara College president.

The Ontario government invested $4.2 million in the centre.

“The Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre is a shining example of a company that has taken advantage of home grown talent to drive success, while providing custom work for businesses throughout the region,” said Charles Sousa, Ontario minister of finance. “These investments are among the many significant measures we’ve taken to help the sector grow and compete as we build and nurture the workforce of tomorrow.”