June 10, 2021 - Alfred, Ontario
Advanced manufacturing is a pillar of Canada's economy, producing goods for a variety of markets while supporting valuable jobs for Canadians. As technology advances the manufacturing industry, southern Ontario companies are innovating and adopting new processes to stay on the cutting edge as they find ways to grow and recover in a post-pandemic economy.
Today, Marie-France Lalonde, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (FedDev Ontario), along with Francis Drouin, Member of Parliament for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, announced a FedDev Ontario investment of $625,000 to support the scale-up of Muskoka Cabinet Company Inc., an innovative manufacturer of residential cabinetry.
Muskoka Cabinet Company Inc., an Industry 4.0-enabled manufacturer that sells to home builders and contractors, will adopt a first-in-Canada, state-of-the-art cabinet panel finishing line. The new line will help the company increase its productivity by 50 percent and support its overall competitiveness. This will mean the company can meet customer demand and grow its workforce in other areas. With FedDev Ontario support, Muskoka Cabinet Company Inc. will diversify its local economy by creating seven new full-time jobs in the Township of Alfred and Plantagenet.
FedDev Ontario's repayable contribution will leverage an additional $1.87 million in private sector investment. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting advanced manufacturers to play a strong role in Canada's economic recovery.
Quotes
"Investments like the one we are making in Muskoka Cabinet Company, allowing it to adopt first-in-Canada technology, give business the support they need to scale up and create new, local jobs. Our Government is also working hard to be there for our rural and Francophone communities like Alfred and Plantagenet as part of an inclusive recovery that leaves no one behind."
- Marie-France Lalonde, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (FedDev Ontario)
"Our Government has been there for workers, businesses and underrepresented groups since the start of this pandemic. This investment in Muskoka Cabinet Company enables the company to grow, and strengthens the community. Manufacturing is a cornerstone of Canada's economy and we are here to help this sector thrive in a post-pandemic Canada."
- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
"Today's investment is great news for the Alfred and Plantagenet community. We proudly support Muskoka Cabinet Company Inc., as it builds on its innovative model, adopts new production capabilities, stays competitive and creates seven jobs."
- Francis Drouin, Member of Parliament for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell
"Funding like this from FedDev Ontario has allowed Muskoka to push the limits of technology otherwise unafforded by companies our size. I attribute our success to having many key partners internally and externally. Not only will this funding create new jobs, but advancing technology always creates better, higher paying jobs."
- Luke Elias, President & CEO, Muskoka Cabinet Company Inc.
Quick facts
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More than one in 10 of Ontario's jobs are in the manufacturing sector, recognized as Canada's manufacturing heartland.
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Advanced manufacturing has contributed to a large share of job creation, accounting for half of the approximately 45,000 skilled jobs created in Ontario since 2010.
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Established in 1985, Muskoka Cabinet Company Inc. is an industry leader in the production of residential and commercial cabinetry. The company has introduced first-in-Canada technologies including a proprietary enterprise resource planning software to manage its production environment, as well as introducing green materials with low or no volatile organic compounds emissions in its products.
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Muskoka Cabinet Company Inc. is located in a rural Official Language Minority Community (OLMC) of fewer than 10,000 people.
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Since 2015, FedDev Ontario has invested over $567 million in more than 260 projects in both the advanced manufacturing and manufacturing sectors, and over $44 million in more than 100 OLMC projects.
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Canada's regional development agencies (RDAs) are on the ground helping businesses weather the effects of the pandemic. With the measures recently outlined in Budget 2021, FedDev Ontario continues to be a trusted partner, and will continue to deliver targeted support in southern Ontario.
