Backgrounder; Windsor’s advanced auto manufacturers evolve and grow at a fast pace

February 12, 2020 – Windsor, Ontario

Harnessing the ingenuity of its highly skilled workforce and its regional strengths, Windsor-Essex is embracing transformation and innovation to remain competitive in the global marketplace.

Today, while visiting Windsor-Essex, Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, announced more than $7 million to support the scale up and growth of these three local companies:

Laval Tool & Mould Ltd. (Laval Tool) engineers, manufactures and tests compression moulds for clients in the automotive industry, including military vehicles, recreational vehicles and heavy trucks. After 45 years in operation, the company, which employs 50 people, is ready to scale up, increase its manufacturing capabilities, and expand its product offering to meet rising demand. This growth plan will position Laval Tool as one of North America’s first fully integrated compression mould shops.

FedDev Ontario’s $1.2-million repayable contribution in Laval Tool & Mould Ltd. will enhance its existing 44,000- square-foot facility in Tecumseh, including the adoption of new advanced manufacturing and robotics equipment that will allow the company to offer a full-suite of in-house services. The project is expected to create 12 and maintain 14 skilled jobs in the region.

Precision Stamping Group (PSG), established in 2003, manufactures and supplies stamped auto parts to global companies. Today, with 75 employees, the company is working hard to innovate and expand its capabilities to produce ultra high-strength steel parts for tier one automotive suppliers looking to manufacture lighter-weight vehicles, which will enhance vehicle safety and fuel economy. By boosting production at its two manufacturing facilities in Tecumseh, PSG will secure its spot as a key competitor in the sector, attracting new business and creating skilled jobs in the area.

FedDev Ontario’s $4-million repayable contribution in Precision Stamping Group will help obtain state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing equipment and technologies needed to expand their capabilities, which will enable them to attract new business opportunities and compete globally in new markets. The project is expected to create 20 new, skilled jobs in the region.

SPM Automation (Canada) Inc. (SPM Automation) provides innovative automatic solutions for joining plastic materials together. With a team of 35 employees, the company designs and manufactures automated welding machines that use 80 percent less energy than conventional 3D welding methods. To expand its market reach, SPM Automation’s skilled team is developing processes to mass-produce its non-contact welding machines for use in global automotive markets. Since founded in 2008, SPM Automation continues to strengthen Windsor-Essex’s position as one of the largest automation hubs in Canada.

FedDev Ontario’s more than $1.8-million repayable contribution in SPM Automation (Canada) Inc. will cover facility improvements, including acquiring state-of-the-art equipment and technologies that will support scale up operations. The project aims to meet the growing demand for innovative welding technology, including the demand for new automotive LED lighting systems with complex 3D shapes. The project is expected to create 10 new, skilled jobs in the region.

Related

News Release: Windsor’s advanced auto manufacturers evolve and grow at a fast pace