Harbour Technologies, a company that pivoted its nuclear and aerospace capabilities to make automated equipment for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) manufacturing at the height of the pandemic, has announced it is expanding its operations to Chatham-Kent.
“The plan is to add production capacity with 11 robotic lines for isolation gown manufacturing in a 38,000 square foot facility we’ve leased on Richmond Street in Chatham,” stated Andrew Glover, Harbour’s co-owner and engineering manager, in a media release.
“Once the plant is fully operational, we’ll need about 80 full-time, skilled employees to help us meet growing demand for our products.”
Harbour officials say while traditional gowns feature hand-stitched seams, Harbour’s are welded during automated assembly, offering end users superior clinical value, comfort and durability.
The move places Chatham on the front lines of domestic PPE manufacturing, critical to rebuilding Canada’s pandemic response capabilities, Harbour officials say.
“Chatham-Kent has a proud tradition of quality manufacturing,” stated Mayor Darrin Canniff, in a media release.
“As a community we welcome Harbour Technologies. It is gratifying that we have been chosen for this investment and we’re excited to be home to a firm producing such a vital product.”
Chatham-Kent Director of Economic Development Stuart McFadden echoed the sentiment.
“I would like to welcome Harbour Technologies to Chatham-Kent and take the opportunity to thank Fred Naclerio and his team at Apollo Property Management and Developments for their role in securing this investment in our community,” McFadden said in a media release.
“This teamwork approach makes our community special.”
Harbour Technologies is a vertically integrated supplier of automated systems, custom tooling, and general machining that has positioned itself to become a leading manufacturer of automated equipment for PPE production worldwide.
With over 80,000 square feet of PPE manufacturing capability, Harbour is also becoming one of Canada’s leading suppliers of PPE to the government, its healthcare institutions and members of the public.
