Ottawa backs London pressboard plant with $30 million
The federal government is investing $30 million in Hitachi Energy Canada’s planned $478.8 million manufacturing project in London, Ontario. The facility will turn wood fibre into electrical-grade pressboard and laminated insulation materials for high-voltage transformers.
The announcement says the company will maintain its existing Canadian workforce and grow it, including by creating more than 100 jobs at the London site. The federal government says the investment will support domestic supply chain capabilities and the growth and competitiveness of Canada’s forest sector.
A new transformer-insulation plant is planned for London
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly announced $30 million in federal support for Hitachi Energy Canada Inc.’s $478.8 million project. The money comes from two programs: $20 million from the Strategic Response Fund and $10 million from Investments in Forest Industry Transformation.
The project will establish Canada’s first electrical-grade pressboard manufacturing facility in London, Ontario. It will turn wood fibre into up to 20,000 tonnes a year of electrical-grade pressboard and laminated insulation materials for high-voltage transformers. The federal government says the investment will strengthen domestic supply chain capabilities and support the growth and competitiveness of Canada’s forest sector.
The facility will supply manufacturers in North American and global markets
The source says the London facility will supply Hitachi Energy’s transformer manufacturing operations in Varennes, Quebec, as well as other transformer and insulation manufacturers in North American and global markets. Hitachi Energy will source key inputs locally, creating business opportunities for domestic suppliers, including Canada’s forest products sector.
The announcement says Hitachi Energy will maintain its existing Canadian workforce of about 1,250 employees and grow that workforce to 1,765, including more than 100 new jobs at the London facility. These are announced plans and expected benefits. The source does not say the facility is operating or that the jobs have been created.
The announcement gives plans, not operating results
The source does not give a construction schedule, opening date, or timetable for reaching the planned annual production level. It does not identify specific local suppliers or state how much Canadian wood fibre the plant will buy. The announcement describes planned production, sourcing and hiring, rather than reporting results from an operating facility.
Look for the forest-sector strategy and project updates
The source says the federal government’s first forest sector strategy is upcoming. It says the strategy will focus on new opportunities for Canadian forest products, advanced manufacturing and innovation, and stronger domestic value chains. The source gives no project construction or start-up timing. Later information could report how the announced production, local sourcing and hiring plans are carried out.