$125 Million Manufacturing Boost in Southwestern Ontario

Expansion projects by four companies will create 153 new, local jobs

WINDSOR, ON, April 11, 2024 – The Ontario government is supporting $125 million in investments by four companies to expand local manufacturing capacity in the automotive and food processing sectors while creating 153 new jobs in Windsor and Leamington. This includes a $60 million investment from DS Actimo Canada, to build a new facility to manufacture components for electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

“Windsor and Leamington have a proud history of manufacturing excellence, and thanks to continued investment in the region, we are confident that our targeted approach to fostering stability and growth across our economy is working,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “As we position Ontario as one of the best jurisdictions in the world for companies to invest and grow, our government is proud to support local businesses as they expand and create new jobs in communities across the province.”

In support of these four new investments, Ontario is providing the companies with nearly $12 million in investments through the province’s Regional Development Program (RDP).

The recipients include:

• DS Actimo Canada (formerly DS C&K Inc.), a subsidiary of South Korea-based DSEV, is investing over $60 million to build a 107,000 square-foot facility in Windsor, marking the company’s first manufacturing plant in North America. The plant will manufacture battery cell module cases with wiring components for EV batteries, including those to be produced at NextStar Energy Inc.’s $5 billion EV battery manufacturing plant. The project is supported by $5 million in funding through the RDP and will create 96 new jobs.
• Kautex Textron is a plastic fuel tank manufacturer in Windsor serving the automotive industry, and is the only plastic fuel tank manufacturer in Canada. With an investment of almost $23 million, the company is building a new battery skid plate manufacturing facility to produce battery casings for EVs using advanced composite materials. The project is supported by $1.5 million in funding through the RDP and will create 12 new jobs.
• Integrity Tool & Mold Inc. is a global leader in the tool and mold industry that supplies parts to a wide range of industries, including those in the automotive supply chain. With an investment of over $15.6 million, the company will adopt state-of-the-art technology at their new Windsor facility to increase their production capacity. The project is supported by over $2.3 million in funding through the RDP and will create 25 new jobs.
• Highbury Canco Corp. produces a variety of food products, including pasta sauce, salsa and beans for large brands. With an investment of over $26.5 million, the company will modernize their facility and increase their processing and warehouse capacity. The project is supported by more than $3.1 million in funding through the RDP and will create 20 new jobs.

Ontario is investing $150 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 110 projects through the program, leveraging more than $1.6 billion in new investments and helping to create over 3,000 jobs.

Quick Facts

• The next intake round for RDP applications opens on April 11, 2024.
• The government launched the RDP for eastern and southwestern Ontario in November 2019. Through this program, businesses and municipalities can get financial support and guided access to a range of complementary services and supports.
• In 2022, the Advanced Manufacturing and 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.
• As part of the 2023 Ontario Budget, the government introduced the Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit, which provides a 10 per cent refundable Corporate Income Tax credit to help local manufacturers lower their costs, invest in workers, innovate and become more competitive.
• Learn more about the Regional Development Program

Quotes

“We want to thank the Ontario government for their recognition and support of DS Actimo’s investment through the Regional Development Program. Our new facility in Windsor represents our expansion into the North American marketplace for our production of components for EV batteries.”

– Chunbok Choi
CEO, DS Actimo Canada Inc.

“The grant we received from the Ontario government allowed us to build an entirely new line for our newest product, Pentatonic Underbody Protection. We’re grateful for the opportunity to expand and succeed within the Windsor, Ontario community.”

– Eric Cardinali
Chief Operating Officer, Kautex Textron

“This investment was made based on the complete confidence we have in our team to execute and take full advantage of this technology. It demonstrates our commitment to the future. Integrity is grateful to the Ontario Government for their assistance with this investment, and more importantly, their understanding on the importance of investing in Ontario businesses and the custom manufacturing industry.”

– Paul DiGiovanni
Team Principal, Integrity Tool & Mould Inc.

“We are thankful for the support from the provincial government which will allow our company to modernize our facility and increase our processing capacity. Initiatives to support local manufacturers like the Regional Development Program help to make investment possible during these difficult economic times.”

– John Krueger
Vice President, Supply Chain, Highbury Canco Corp.

“Thanks to investments by DS Actimo, Integrity Tool & Mold Inc. and Kautex Windsor, hundreds of new, local jobs will be created in Windsor-Essex. Supported through investments from the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund, our government is investing in our local manufacturing sector and helping regional economies across the province to grow and thrive.”

– Andrew Dowie
Member of Provincial Parliament for Windsor—Tecumseh

“Our government is building a strong Ontario and strengthening the economy by supporting key investments in communities like Windsor and Leamington. These investments will grow local manufacturing and create more good-paying jobs for workers and families in our region.”

– Anthony Leardi
Member of Provincial Parliament for Essex

“Our government remains committed to supporting regional economic development as we invest $125 million in local manufacturers, helping to create 153 new jobs in Windsor and Leamington. Through strategic supports like the Regional Development Program, our government is fostering growth and stability while propelling our communities forward. We are proud to stand by local companies like Highbury Canco Corp. as they innovate and expand their operations.”

– Trevor Jones
Member of Provincial Parliament for Chatham—Kent—Leamington