FedDev Ontario Invests More Than $5.3 Million For Two Manufacturers

TheWindsor region is home to a thriving manufacturing sector supporting many industries such as automotive, food/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.

Proof of this occurred in mid-January when the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDevOntario.gc.ca), 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.

Established in 2017, Cedar Valley Selections Inc. is a family-owned food manufacturer of bottled salad dressings and pita chips, which are available at many leading retailers across Canada, including Longo’s and Sobeys. The business is located in Oldcastle and on the web at: CedarValleySelections.ca.

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.

“The funding received from FedDev Ontario could not have come at a better time in our journey as we grow Cedar Valley,” says Ameen Fadel, Founder and President.

Fadel continues: “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.”

Founded in 1991, Uni-Fab (Refer to: Uni-Fab.on.ca) located in Leamington and one of the largest metal fabricators in southern Ontario with 178 full-time employees — manufactures custom aluminum, steel and stainless steel products for the automotive, aerospace and machine tool sectors.

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

This $5-million investment, through 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.

“This investment in Cedar Valley and UniFab is supporting our local manufacturers as they grow and commercialize unique first-to-market manufacturing technology, while creating 55 jobs here in Windsor Essex,” comments MP Irek Kusmierczyk. “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.”