Niagara Companies Heavily Invest in Growth

The plan is for increased manufacturing and plant growth, and create more jobs

Almost $32-million is being invested by 7-Niagara companies to boost manufacturing and create over 70 new jobs.

In fact, the provincial government is throwing in almost $5.3-million to help, announced last week by Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff, at Ophardt Technologies in Beamsville.

• Ophardt Hygiene Technologies in Beamsville, which is investing $4,680,000 to increase capacity and introduce a new dispenser pump for the market.  The pump utilizes technology developed and patented by the company in Ontario.  Their investment is being supported with $702,000 through the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund, creating twelve new good-paying jobs.

• Galaxy Pallets in Smithville, which is investing $1,127,300 to expand their warehousing facility from 30,000 square feet to 35,000 square feet to increase production capacity, which will also allow them to enter new markets.  Their investment is being supported with $160,645 through the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund, creating five new good-paying jobs.

• Bradshaw Iron Works in Welland, which is investing $1,955,828 to modernize their production processes and capabilities through automated processes.  Their investment is being supported with $293,374 through the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund, creating nine new good-paying jobs.  

• Black Creek Metal in Thorold, which is investing $5,306,000 to increase the size of their manufacturing facility.  This expansion will allow the company to integrate new automated manufacturing equipment and help increase their storage capacity.  Their investment is being supported with $795,900 through the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund, creating ten new good-paying jobs.  

• CMI Heavy Industries in Fort Erie, which is investing $3,430,000 to invest in new equipment and develop processes to manufacture and supply mining truck frames for extraction of minerals.  Their investment is being supported with $500,000 through the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund, creating twenty-four new good-paying jobs.  

• Decora Powder Coatings in St. Catharines, which is investing $8,981,000 to install a state of the art, fully automated powder-coating line/process with an automated packaging system, which will be the first of its kind in Canada.  Their investment is being supported with $1,347,150 through the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund, creating fourteen new good-paying jobs.  

• The City of Port Colborne, which is investing $6,500,000 to create serviced employment lands within their urban boundary, allowing them to attract prospective companies.  Their investment is being supported with $1,500,000 through the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund