Local industries spend $10 million on expansion, new equipment

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

A combined investment of $10.4 million by two Tillsonburg companies and a Norwich company will boost local manufacturing and create 32 new jobs.

Tillsonburg-based Wellmaster, a leading North American manufacturer for the groundwater, energy, and horticultural sectors, invested $1,344,818 to develop a customized CNC lathe machine that will be a first in Canada innovation, giving the company a competitive advantage in the sector. The machine decreases labour hours and increases production and efficiency.

“The CNC lathe has been specifically designed for machining Wellmaster’s high-demand groundwater products, including the new Press X Press™ steel casing connection,” said James White, Wellmaster CEO and President.

When the machinery is fully operational, it will support five additional jobs.

Future Transfer will invest $4,930,756 in an end-to-end production line for the development and manufacturing of a new water-based suspension herbicide.

Company co-owner John Lansink explained the Tillsonburg-based company is blending the herbicides under license for its customers. Future Transfer will be the only one using this particular blending technique in Canada.

Lansink said the new equipment, which was purchased from a company overseas, will make products more economical for its customers. The purchase of the equipment is part of a move to bring the sources for essential products closer to home after the supply chain was disrupted during COVID.

With its $4,157,000 investment, Norwich’s Split-Fire Sales will relocate to a recently purchased industrial building near its Norwich facility that will almost triple its manufacturing square footage. The investment includes building renovations, equipment, software and employee training.

In support of this investment, the Ontario government is providing Split-Fire Sales with $500,000 in funding through the Regional Development Program’s Southwestern Ontario Development Fund. Wellmaster will receive $201,723 and Future Transfer will receive $739,613.

“By supporting strategic investments from regional businesses, our government is protecting Ontario’s workers and creating the conditions for a strong, stable, and resilient economy that can weather any storm,” said Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman. “These investments will support growth and innovation across the local manufacturing sector and create more good-paying jobs for workers and families in Oxford.”

“Employing more than 800,000 workers across the province, Ontario’s manufacturing sector is the economic engine of our nation,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “Our government is proud to support local companies like Split-Fire Sales, Wellmaster and Future Transfer as they expand their operations, and we thank them for their contributions to Ontario’s dynamic and growing manufacturing ecosystem.”

White said government support helped Wellmaster’s expansion move forward.

“Support from our partners in the Government of Ontario, including our local MPP, Ernie Hardeman, was essential for the development and acquisition of this advanced manufacturing technology,” he said. “The project also benefits from the Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit. This Government of Ontario tax credit was recently increased to 15 per cent to support Ontario manufacturers during the current trade disruption with the US.”

Ontario is investing over $200 million through its Regional Development Program to help manufacturers across the province grow while supporting distinct regional priorities. To date, Ontario has supported more than 165 projects through the program, leveraging more than $2.1 billion in new investments and helping to create over 4,000 jobs.