Ridgetown Martinrea expanding plant
Martinrea International Inc. is expanding its Ridgetown plant to house a new SIMPAC 3000 metric ton stamping press.
Martinrea announced the nearly $35 million expansion to its 100,000-square-foot facility on June 6.
The new stamping press will allow the production of larger and more complex parts, including body-in-white components, battery enclosures and chassis parts.
It will also enhance production efficiency and quality, minimizing waste and energy consumption.
The Ridgetown plant, established in 1987 and acquired by Martinrea in 2006, currently employs approximately 150 people and produces several metal stampings and welded assemblies for the automotive industry.
The plant is one of Martinrea’s 56 locations across 10 countries, serving the global automotive industry.
“We are proud to expand operations, build quality products and increase services for our customers with the municipality of Chatham-Kent,” said Don Gillier, General Manager of Martinrea Ridgetown. “This investment will continue to create opportunities for our employees and their families, ensuring a bright future for all.”
The project is expected to be completed early in 2025.
The addition to the Ridgetown facility is a part of Martinrea’s strategy to expand its presence and capabilities in the North American market, addressing the increasing demand for lightweight, high-strength metal solutions in the automotive industry.
“This expansion demonstrates our commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction,” said Pat D’Eramo, Chief Executive Officer of Martinrea International Inc. “It further expands our capabilities as a global supplier in Canada and prepares us for future growth opportunities.”
“We thank our employees, customers, and the local community, who have been instrumental in our success,” D’Eramo said.
Martinrea is a diversified and global automotive supplier engaged in designing, developing and manufacturing highly engineered, value-added Lightweight Structures and Propulsion Systems.
The company is a leader in developing and producing quality metal parts, assemblies and modules, fluid management systems, and complex aluminum products focused primarily on the automotive sector.
Martinrea currently employs more than 19,000 people and operates in 56 locations in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, Slovakia, Spain, China, South Africa and Japan.
Michael Bennett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Ridgetown Independent News