Backgrounder: Over $11 million in Government of Canada support for women in aerospace and supply chain in the sector

Backgrounder: Over $11 million in Government of Canada support for women in aerospace and supply chain in the sector

March 14, 2023

Today, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), along with Pam Damoff, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Member of Parliament for Oakville North–Burlington and James Maloney, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke–Lakeshore, announced a total investment of over $11 million, through the Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative (ARRI), for three businesses and one organization in southern Ontario’s aerospace sector: Nanowave Technologies Inc., NWI Precision Tube ULC, RAMPF Composite Solutions Inc., and Women in Aerospace - Canada. These projects will increase manufacturing capacity and productivity, green operations, provide professional skills development and support over 180 jobs across southern Ontario’s aerospace sector.

This consists of support for the following projects:

Based in Etobicoke and Ottawa, Nanowave Technologies Inc. (Nanowave) designs and manufactures components and systems for high-reliability radio frequency (RF), space, aerospace, defence and industrial markets. The company is receiving a repayable contribution of more than $4 million to support the transition from paper-based manufacturing and control environments to digital and automated manufacturing, testing and analytics systems. As a result, Nanowave will increase its productivity, transition to more energy efficient operations, improve its competitiveness within the supply chain and support over 105 jobs.

“Over its 30 year history, Nanowave’s highly qualified and diverse team has placed more than 40,000 complex electronic subsystems on international space, aerospace and defense platforms. This FedDev Ontario investment will assist the company in continuing to grow its share of the rapidly evolving global market for its technologies.”
Jayson Miller, Vice President Finance, Nanowave Technologies Inc.

NWI Precision Tube ULC (NWI) is a Toronto-based specialty manufacturer that serves the aerospace, defence and nuclear markets. The company is receiving a repayable contribution of $4.5 million to increase manufacturing capacity and improve productivity through the modernization of its current processes, which will enable it to compete globally as a leading producer of aerospace turbine shaft components. Through this project, NWI will purchase and install leading-edge equipment, implement a digitally-enabled manufacturing process, and support 60 jobs. This support will allow the company to compete globally as a producer of new turbine shaft components for the aerospace sector.

“We are extremely proud to receive support under the ARRI program from FedDev Ontario. It will allow us to invest in our people, equipment and technology and enhance our capabilities to meet the evolving needs of our customers and help fuel our growth.”
Jon Fowkes, CEO, NWI Precision Tube, ULC

Located in Burlington, RAMPF Composite Solutions Inc. (RAMPF) is a manufacturer of carbon fiber and fiberglass composite parts for the aerospace, defence, consumer products and medical sectors. The company is receiving a repayable contribution of nearly $2.3 million to automate labour intensive operations to improve productivity and reduce cycle times and invest in higher-volume equipment and digital tools. As a result, RAMPF will increase its global competitiveness, enter into new aerospace markets, boost revenue and create 15 new jobs.

“We are very grateful to FedDev Ontario for this investment in the future of our company and our world-class employees. By investing in automation and digitization, we will position RAMPF Composite Solutions to win new business as airframe manufacturers increase production rates and look to develop new aerospace solutions that take advantage of lightweight composites while reducing our environmental footprint.”
Larry Fitzgerald, CEO, RAMPF Composite Solutions Inc.

Women in Aerospace - Canada (WIA-Canada) is a not-for-profit organization located in Hamilton that is dedicated to expanding women’s visibility in the aerospace sector, improving opportunities for leadership, and furthering professional development in Canada and across the globe. The organization is receiving a non-repayable contribution of over $330,000 to develop and deliver the Advancing Women in Aerospace Leadership Program, aimed at providing professional development for women currently in the aerospace sector or women looking to transition into the sector. This will contribute to improving their leadership skills and increasing female representation within the aerospace sector workforce. As a result, up to 150 women will have access to professional development and mentorship supports to help them navigate and advance their career in the aerospace sector.

“Canadian Aerospace has the benefit of so many talented women in the industry, however, women continue to be significantly underrepresented in the industry, especially at leadership levels. To continue to be at the forefront of the industry to compete internationally, we need to increase levels of diversity to ensure we have the talent to continue to innovate. We are incredibly grateful that FedDev Ontario recognizes the criticality of supporting underrepresented groups in aerospace and is providing Women In Aerospace – Canada with the funding to continue to develop women to be successful in our industry.”
Nancy Barber, President, Women in Aerospace – Canada

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