Pavement manufacturer to build new Ont. production facility

Techno-Bloc, a manufacturer of permeable pavement, will receive a $2.5 million investment from the federal government to help build a new production facility.

The repayable contribution from FedDev Ontario will establish a production facility in the rural community of Ayr, Ont. creating 50 full-time permanent jobs in manufacturing, engineering and management.

At this facility, Techo-Bloc will employ state-of-the-art production equipment, implement research and development facilities and an on-site product demonstration area.

The funding, which joins an additional $28.3 million in other investments, will also help the manufacturer increase its Ontario supplier purchases by an estimated $9 million annually.

The expansion will allow the St. Hubert, Quebec–based Techo-Bloc to meet demand in Canada and the United States for permeable pavement, which is an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional concrete. The solution, which reduces flooding and soil contamination, requires less infrastructure such as pipes, storm drains and retention ponds.

In addition to the Ayr, Ont. facility, Techo-Bloc operates three manufacturing plants in Quebec and five in the U.S., employing more than 650 full-time employees across North America.