Feds invest over $6M for Windsor-area manufacturers to expand

The federal government is investing $6.3 million for new technology and to support the scale-up of four manufacturers in the Windsor-Essex region.

These investments from FedDev Ontario are also leveraging more than $22.4 million in additional investments in Windsor-Essex, and the companies supported will increase regional supply chain spending, which the government says will help to strengthen the sector coming out of COVID-19.

Hawk Plastics Ltd. manufactures injection-molded custom plastic parts primary for the automotive sector.

With FedDev Ontario’s $880,372 repayable contribution, Hawk Plastics will expand its production facility by 8,000 square feet to accommodate its new advanced and robotic production equipment.

In addition to increasing productivity and quality, advanced technical capabilities will allow the company to produce lighter-weight plastic components to meet demands from Tier 1 and 2 automotive suppliers. The project is anticipated to create 10 new manufacturing positions and maintain 20 in Tecumseh, Ont.

Whitfield Group is a source for repairs, engineering changes, hard facing and laser heat treatment of plastic injection, die cast and stamping tools for the automotive sector.

With a $1-million repayable contribution, Whitfield Group will acquire new production equipment, including the most advanced wire and laser welding and cladding systems available, to advance its additive manufacturing capabilities.

The scale-up will allow the company to create new intellectual property and customize its systems to fit process requirements, which will support efforts to diversify to new sectors. The project is expected to create 10 new manufacturing positions and maintain nine jobs.

Pancap Pharma Inc. (Pancap) produces pancreatic enzyme products (PEP), a treatment for pancreatic insufficiencies attributed to cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis and other pancreatic diseases.

With a $3.5-million repayable contribution, Pancap established its new 50,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Windsor, incorporating state-of-the-art equipment and new technologies that will reduce manufacturing times by 50 per cent – from 12 weeks to six weeks – and allow Pancap to triple its annual production of PEP products. An estimated 50 new jobs are associated with this project.

Crop Defenders Ltd. produces biological pest control solutions to help growers defend against aphids, a common pest that often plagues greenhouse vegetables.

An $899,000 repayable contribution will allow Crop Defenders to expand its facility, acquire new equipment and scale up operations to mass-produce JERVI (its unique aphid control solution) for sale to greenhouse producers. Through this investment, 10 new full-time jobs  will be created.