Government of Canada supports economic growth and job creation for Windsor-Essex manufacturing sector

FedDev Ontario invests more than $5.3 million for two manufacturers to expand and create 55 jobs

Jan. 16, 2023      Oldcastle, Ontario          Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)

The Windsor region is home to a thriving manufacturing sector that supports many industries, including automotive, food and beverage, and aerospace. The Government of Canada continues to support manufacturers to help them bring new products to market, create jobs and grow southern Ontario’s economy.

Today, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), and Irek Kusmierczyk, Member of Parliament for Windsor–Tecumseh, announced an investment of more than $5.3 million for two Windsor region manufacturers, Cedar Valley Selections Inc. and Uni-Fab. This funding will help create 55 jobs and improve their manufacturing capabilities.

Uni-Fab, located in Leamington, Ontario, and one of the largest metal fabricators in southern Ontario, manufactures custom aluminum, steel and stainless steel products for the automotive, aerospace and machine tool sectors. This $5 million investment, through the Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF), will help Uni-Fab grow their facility and buy new equipment to commercialize their innovative automated pallet changer technology. These improvements will allow them to save time and money. The jobs this new technology will create will ensure that Uni-Fab is able to meet demand for their products and contribute to a growing economy.

Cedar Valley Selections Inc. (Cedar Valley) located in Oldcastle, Ontario, is a family-owned manufacturer of ready-to-eat salad dressings and pita chips. This $375,000 investment, through the Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF), will help Cedar Valley buy new equipment to improve its production capacity and meet the demand for its ready-to-make foods. The project will also help the company to move into the U.S. market as well as boost local supply chain spending and create five new jobs in the Windsor region.

By investing in these manufacturers, the Government of Canada is helping local businesses build resiliency, create jobs, increase efficiencies, strengthen regional supply chains and benefit Canadian workers.

Quotes

“Making strategic investments to support Windsor area manufacturers like Cedar Valley Selections and Uni-Fab, help them boost their competitiveness and prepare for future growth. Today’s announcement is another step towards creating an economy that works for everyone.”

• The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

“Today’s investment in Cedar Valley and Uni-Fab is supporting our local manufacturers as they grow and commercialize unique first-to-market manufacturing technology, while creating 55 jobs here in the Windsor-Essex. By investing in these businesses, our government is taking the necessary steps to help our communities and our businesses contribute to a more resilient future.”

• Irek Kusmierczyk, Member of Parliament for Windsor–Tecumseh

“With the support of FedDev Ontario, we have been able to expedite the growth of Uni-Fab even in a time of uncertainty.”

• Abe Fehr, President, Uni-Fab 

“The funding received from FedDev Ontario could not have come at a better time in our journey as we grow Cedar Valley. With increasing distribution and demand, we’ve had to invest in new automated systems to help improve our production capacity, employee safety and product quality. The funding provided by FedDev Ontario is necessary to meet our growth trajectory for 2023 and beyond, allowing us to scale with new technologies and welcome additional team members.”

• Ameen Fadel, Founder and President, Cedar Valley Selections Inc.

Quick Facts

• Manufacturing accounts for 25 per cent of the Windsor region’s GDP and 19 per cent of the region’s employment.
• Established in 2017, Cedar Valley Selections Inc. is a food manufacturer of bottled salad dressing and pita chips, which are available at many leading retailers across Canada, including Longo’s and Sobeys.
• Founded in 1991, Uni-Fab is one of the largest metal fabrication shops in Ontario, with 178 full-time employees in Leamington.
• FedDev Ontario is delivering $224 million of the Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF) to help businesses in southern Ontario and the organizations that support them to future-proof, build resiliency, and prepare for growth by transitioning to a green, inclusive and competitive economy.
• Since 2015, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has invested nearly $800 million in over 375 projects in manufacturing creating over 10,600 jobs and maintaining over 11,500 jobs.
• Since 2015, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has invested over $110 million in more than 130 projects in Essex census division estimated to create over 2,000 jobs and maintain over 5,500 jobs.