Chatham-Kent’s mayor is expecting a “ripple effect” in C-K after a major $1.2-billion announcement at the Ford Essex Engine Plant in Windsor.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne were in Windsor today for the announcement of a more than $1 billion partnership with Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd. Trudeau and Wynne announced the federal and provincial governments are investing $102.4 million each in support of this project.
These investments will attract an additional $1-billion in research and development spending from Ford of Canada, as they transform its Windsor Operations into a world-class engine facility.
“Today’s investments will help create and maintain almost 800 great jobs for Canadians in Windsor and across Ontario, while equipping Canadians with the skills they need to design and build the cars of the future,” Trudeau said in a press release.
“This is about positioning Canada as a global centre for automotive innovation, creating better opportunities for Canadians, and keeping Canada’s automotive manufacturing sector competitive.”
Mayor Hope happy about announcement
Chatham-Kent Mayor Randy agrees this announcement is great news for the industry and an excellent opportunity for Chatham-Kent.
“I am very glad to see this continuous investment in the automotive sector in Ontario,” Hope told the Sydenham Current.
“It’s actually very important to the parts supplier system, which exists in Chatham-Kent and some of our business here provide to those industries. With the growth opportunities that are there, the rippling effects goes back into our own production facilities that are located in Chatham-Kent. Hopefully they are successful bidders in the process. It will also elevate the jobs in the parts manufacturing sector.”
Hope said any increased employment or opportunities for local manufacturers stemming from the Ford announcement, would be based on a bidding process.
“If they are successful in being a supplier of Ford, or any of the automotive sectors, they now have a business plan and they hopefully will either maintain or increase their workforces,” Hope said.
“Everybody goes through a cycle of different product lines, the innovation that they do, the parts supplier system, the tool and dies or whatever they are doing. So that’s why when we say manufacturing hasn’t died, we believe that. There is investment there, there is an auto policy strategy. Both federal and provincial, but also a manufacturing strategy.”
Hope said Chatham-Kent economic development staff work with local companies on an on-goin basis, and will continue to do so after this Ford announcement.
We promote the products that are made in Chatham-Kent, we work with those current businesses that are here,” Hope said.
“We support them in other applications for grants, they may say ‘I plan on putting this bid in’ or ‘I put this technology in or this piece of equipment in to stay competitive’ we help them with the applications. We support their application going in.”
Hope said the Ford announcement gives the entire automotive sector a boost locally.
“Like an energy shot that happens when something of this nature takes place with the automotive sector,” he said.
“The parts supply now gets that boost to go after more opportunities. It’s like opening the door a bit for them to walk in proposals forward and their innovation forward and be a competitive bidder and hopefully be successful at winning the contract to provide more parts or services.”
Windsor engine facility transforming
The announcement will help Ford of Canada transform its Windsor Operations into a world-class engine facility, which will result in an all-new global engine program.
These investments will also strengthen Ford of Canada’s research and development capacity at existing facilities, including the Powertrain Engineering Research and Development Centre in Windsor.
The funding will also help establish the new Research and Engineering Centre in Ottawa, with additional locations in Waterloo and Oakville, which will focus on connectivity research and development across infotainment, in-vehicle modems, gateway modules, driver-assist features, and self-driving cars.
“The auto industry drives Ontario’s economy — and provides thousands of good jobs for people in communities right across the province,” Premier Wynne stated.
“Its growth is good for everyone. I am so pleased to work with our partners, Ford of Canada and the Canadian government, to support innovation and ensure the continued success of Ontario’s auto industry — now and into the future.”
The Centre will support good, middle class jobs and equip Canadians working in this sector with the skills they need for the jobs of the future.
Together, these efforts will help keep Canada’s automotive manufacturing sector globally competitive and innovative, and ensure Ford of Canada keep its manufacturing facilities in Canada for years to come.
“This investment demonstrates how Ford is transforming to be both an auto and mobility company,” Mark Buzzell, president and CEO, Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd. stated.
“With strategic partnerships, Canada can compete and win in the global auto industry.”
More facts sent out by Trudeau’s office:
– The investment comes from the Government of Canada’s Automotive Innovation Fund.
– The Powertrain Engineering Research and Development Centre will develop technologies to make vehicles lighter and more fuel efficient.
– The automotive industry is the country’s second largest manufacturing sector, producing more than 2.3 million vehicles every year and contributing $17.5 billion annually to the Canadian economy.
– The auto sector employs more than half a million Canadians, and for every assembly job, it creates nine spinoff jobs.
– Ford Motor Company of Canada is Canada’s longest-established automaker.
– Ford Motor Company of Canada operates with one head office, three regional offices, three assembly and engine plants, and two parts distribution centres.
