Sign manufacturer receives $1.45M for automation equipment

July 25, 2019 – Media Resources Inc., an integrated sign manufacturing and services company, has received a $1.45 million repayable investment from the Ontario government to retrofit its Oakville facility with leading-edge manufacturing automation equipment.

Media Resources provides large-format printing, digital LED displays, 3D fabrication and sign installation services to the billboard, advertising, commercial sign, sports and building sectors. The company’s fastest-growing area is its digital display division, which manufactures indoor and outdoor digital LED signage.

With FedDev Ontario’s contribution, Media Resources will scale up this division by acquiring advanced manufacturing equipment and automation technologies for the new facility to support in-house production of the vital components of digital LED displays. Until now, the company has had to source these components from outside of Canada.

With its new fully automated facility, Media Resources will be able to improve its quality management, reduce costs, meet increased customer demand, and boost market competitiveness. In addition, at least 16 new full-time jobs will be created in Oakville, and will support skills development and training in the fields of robotics and automation.

“As a Canadian manufacturing business with very strong growth in export, the stability, quality and competitiveness of our supply chain is critical to our future,” says Jeff Rushton, president and CEO of Media Resources Inc. “Besides protecting Canadian intellectual property, we will employ new technical staff to operate the production system, support our local fabricators and suppliers, and expect an expansion in our business overall.”

Operating from its 57,000-square-foot primary manufacturing facility in Oakville, Media Resources has offices in Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, and Fort Mills, South Carolina, and creates digital displays or all sources, sign installation services, large format digital formatting and customized 3D sculptures and props for customers across North and South America.