Today, Chris Bittle, Member of Parliament for St. Catherines, on behalf of the Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), announced a combined investment of over $11.3 million to help 13 Niagara Region businesses as they strengthen capabilities and seize new growth opportunities amid shifting global market conditions.
Recipient Name |
Project Description |
Total Project Cost |
Funding contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
To expand capabilities through facility upgrades, the purchase of advanced equipment, diversifying service offerings and improving production efficiency. Incorporated in 1979, Niagara-based Black Creek Metal Inc. specializes in custom metal fabrication and structural steel framework. |
$2,000,000 |
$700,000 |
|
To acquire advanced machinery to increase domestic production capabilities of its perforated products and strengthen local supply chains. Incorporated in 2001 in Fort Erie, Perforating Inc. has grown from a small family business into Canada's largest and only full-service perforator, specializing in the creation of custom and stock perforated metal patterns. |
$5,247,000 |
$1,000,000 |
|
To expand production capabilities through the acquisition and installation of advanced machinery to support entry into the nuclear and defence markets. Incorporated in 1981 and last amalgamated in 2017, Niagara-based Canadian Babbitt Bearings Ltd., designs, casts, and machines precision bearings, bushings, and custom metal components for industrial and renewable energy markets. |
$3,699,725 |
$530,153 |
|
To modernize and optimize inventory management and material handling systems to improve efficiency, streamline operations, and support business growth. Incorporated in 1987, Can-American Stone Spreader Sales Limited is a St. Catharines-based family-owned manufacturer of truck-based aggregate delivery equipment, offering dump trucks, stone spreaders, Safe Productive Infrastructure-Friendly (SPIF) system and lift axles for trucks. |
$523,922 |
$261,961 |
|
To increase heavy machining capabilities and production efficiency through the acquisition, installation, and integration of advanced equipment, enabling the manufacturing of larger, more complex components with greater precision. Established in 1922 in Stevensville, CMI Heavy Industries is a leading provider of heavy fabricated, forged and cast machined components and assemblies. |
$5,950,000 |
$1,000,000 |
|
To increase production capabilities and improve efficiency of its components manufacturing to expand market opportunities in Canada's aerospace and defence sectors. Incorporated in 2007, Free Force Machining Technology Inc. is a St. Catharines-based manufacturer specializing in ultra-precision machining services for a variety of industries, including aerospace, energy, fibre optics, electronics and industrial. |
$787,500 |
$393,750 |
|
To add a new product line and modernize digital systems while expanding sales and logistics capabilities. Incorporated in 1995, Hastec Group Inc. is a St. Catharines-based manufacturer of advanced fluid processing equipment serving the primary metals, steel, and mining industries across North and South America. |
$1,321,456 |
$600,000 |
|
To boost steel processing capabilities through the acquisition of advanced equipment and facility improvements. Founded in 1985, Ontario-based High Strength Plates & Profiles Inc., with its largest facility in Thorold, processes high-strength and abrasion-resistant steel plates for use in the mining, transportation, forestry and construction industries. |
$1,518,072 |
$750,000 |
|
To increase domestic manufacturing capabilities through the acquisition of advanced equipment and facility expansion. Incorporated in 2003, Lakeview Vineyard Equipment Inc. is a Niagara-on-the-Lake based manufacturer and distributor of mechanized solutions for the vineyard and orchard sectors. |
$1,132,000 |
$500,000 |
|
To modernize production efficiency and capabilities through investments in advanced equipment, tooling, facility improvements and workforce training. Incorporated in 2004, St. Catharines Pattern Limited is a family-owned advanced manufacturing and patternmaking company specializing in the design and production of precision tooling, CNC-machined components, sand and investment casting patterns, and prototype tooling. |
$1,160,150 |
$500,000 |
|
To expand production capabilities and improving the efficiency and environmental performance of its greenhouse operations. Incorporated in 2013, TD Greenhouses Ltd. is a Wainfleet-based producer specializing in the cultivation, packaging, and distribution of premium potted plants for major retail chains across North America. |
$1,676,250 |
$600,000 |
|
To modernize its steelmaking capabilities to better position the company to serve the growing Canadian and international demand for the defence, infrastructure and energy sectors. Welland-based Valbruna ASW Inc., founded in 1918 and incorporated in 2010, specializes in carbon, stainless, and specialty steel products for domestic and export markets. |
$8,607,935 |
$1,000,000 |
|
To expand and modernize its Grimsby facility through investments in advanced machining, additive manufacturing and automated inspection technologies-bringing high-precision manufacturing currently outsourced overseas back to Ontario. Incorporated in 2020, VTR Feeder Solutions Inc. is a Grimsby-based advanced manufacturing company that designs, engineers and builds precision parts-feeding and automation systems, primarily for medical-device manufacturers across North America. |
$6,015,717 |
$3,500,000 |
