Government of Canada boosts domestic manufacturing to enhance EV and semiconductor supply chain
News release
FBT Inc. to increase domestic parts production, support supply chains, and create jobs with a nearly $4 million investment from the Government of Canada
August 30, 2023 – St. Catharines, Ontario
Southern Ontario has emerged as a prominent hub supporting automotive manufacturing and innovation, specifically in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, thanks to its skilled workers and vast expertise. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting our manufacturers as they adopt new processes and technologies to strengthen local supply chains and create good jobs for Canadians.
Today, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), announced an investment of nearly $4 million for FBT Inc. a family-owned advanced manufacturer of precision machine components and parts used in critical sectors such as automotive, defense, EV, semi-conductor, power generation and more. Minister Tassi was joined by Chris Bittle, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Member of Parliament for St. Catharines and Vance Badawey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services and Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre.
As the demand for domestic production of EV, energy, and semiconductor related-parts has risen in Canada, FBT is upgrading its facility to meet demand from both new and existing clients. This includes adopting new robotic and automated solutions that will create the first-of-its-kind processes to increase its machine components and parts production by 75 percent. Through this investment, FBT will be able to fulfill its growing orders, create 40 skilled jobs and support domestic manufacturing capacity for southern Ontario’s leading EV manufacturers.
The Government of Canada will continue to support manufacturers to help them bring new products to market, strengthen our domestic supply chains, create jobs, and grow southern Ontario’s economy. The Government of Canada is investing in people so they can reach their full potential and make new possibilities into realities, so that everyone can succeed.
Quotes
"Ontario's manufacturing industry is the engine that drives our national economy forward. Our government is investing in the people that make it run. By making smart investments in manufacturers, like FBT Inc., we are working together to help these businesses grow which will create good paying jobs for our communities, and ensure a healthy environment for generations."
– The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
“Today’s investment in FBT Inc. will help the company increase productivity while creating good jobs in St. Catharines. By investing in businesses like this, our government is taking the necessary steps to boost Canada’s manufacturing sector and domestic supply chain in critical sectors while contributing to a more resilient future.”
– Chris Bittle, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Member of Parliament for St. Catharines
“Today’s announcement is great news for the Niagara region. This is a leap forward in developing made-in-Canada capabilities to strengthen our regional economy, while creating important jobs for the community.”
– Vance Badawey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services and Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre
"Embracing innovation has always been at the core of FBT Inc.'s values. The enhanced efficiency will benefit existing clients and open up new capacity to engage in dedicated partnerships with businesses seeking long-term collaboration. Our commitment to fostering dedicated partnership opportunities is driven by our desire to forge strong, mutually beneficial relationships with our clients.
– Rob Forstinger, President, FBT Inc.
Quick facts
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Established in 1945 and located in St. Catharines, FBT Inc. (FBT) is an advanced manufacturing company specialized in the design and manufacturing of precision tooling components for both small-to-medium sized clients and Fortune 500 companies across North America.
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Since 2015, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has invested over $110 million in more than 140 projects in Niagara (Census Division), estimated to create over 2,000 jobs and maintain almost 4,000 jobs.
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Since November 2015, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has invested nearly $720 million in 340 manufacturing projects, creating over 9,100 jobs and maintaining nearly 9,000 jobs.
Associated links
Contacts
Edward Hutchinson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
Edward.hutchinson@feddevontario.gc.ca
FedDev Ontario
Media Relations
feddevontariomediarelations-relationsmedias@feddevontario.gc.ca
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