An Aurora firm is one of three Ontario plastics product makers receiving a portion of $7.8 million in federal funding to help scale up and increase capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Axiom Group, a plastic injection molding and mold-making industry, expects to create 60 skilled job in Aurora with the $4.5-million repayable interest-free investment from FedDev Ontario, according to a news release.
Axiom, which has operated in Aurora for more than 30 years, will use the funds to automate and digitize its processes, increase its capacity to develop high-tech molding for leading automakers, and enhance and expand its development, design and quality control capabilities.
“We appreciate FedDev Ontario’s contribution for enabling a world-class smart manufacturing facility like Axiom’s to compete, and to create real opportunities for a high-quality skilled workforce in southern Ontario," said Majid Sharifi, vice-president finance, Axiom Group.
The firm, which has operated in Aurora for more than 30 years, was an early adopter of manufacturing and automation technologies to increase productivity.
During the pandemic, it has been manufacturing durable and comfortable face shields made from fully recyclable materials at its MDEL-approved automotive site.
Vision Profile Extrusions and DuROCK, both in Woodbridge, will also receive funding.
The investment in the three manufacturers will create 116 skilled jobs and maintain 30 more in York Region, according to the release.
Vision Profile Extrusions, which received a $2.3-million repayable contribution, manufactures the world’s third-most produced synthetic polymer and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) for use in the installation of windows and doors, primarily for construction.
The company, which is a member of the Vision Group of Companies with more than 970 employees in Canada, wil use the funds to increase capacity of its PVC processing line, strengthening its position in key export markets, including the United States and Latin America.
Through this project, Vision Profile Extrusions expects to create 36 skilled jobs and maintain 30 jobs in Woodbridge.
With a $1-million repayable contribution from FedDev Ontario, DuROCK will establish a new manufacturing facility, allowing the company to produce 2,000 of it's patent-pending PUCC-ROCK boards per day to meet the growing demand for this technology.
DuROCK is a manufacturer of polymer and cement products for exterior insulation finish systems, specialty coatings for floors and walls, and specialty interior and design finishes.
As pandemic-related restrictions ease, DuROCK’s increased capacity will allow the company to take advantage of new infrastructure and retrofitting projects, particularly those requiring energy-efficient and non-combustible solutions. Through this project, 20 skilled jobs will be created in Woodbridge.
Mélanie Joly, minister of economic development and official languages and minister responsible for FedDev Ontario, made the announcement Aug. 25 alongside Francesco Sorbara, MP for Vaughan-Woodbridge.
“These three projects build on our region’s role as a pillar for manufacturing and innovation,” said Sorbara in a statement. “As our economy recovers, it is reassuring to see local companies not only remaining productive, but expand opportunities for residents in York Region.”
