Ontario Premier announces $3-million contribution to Mitsui High-tec expansion

Brantford motor core manufacturer Mitsui High-tec (Canada) Inc. is growing again.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford was at the company’s new Fen Ridge Court facility on Thursday to celebrate its $102.3-million investment to further expand its operations and create 104 “highly-skilled, good-paying jobs, while helping to build Ontario’s EV supply chain.”

“From your first investment here in 2015, you’ve doubled the size in just eight years, which is truly amazing,” said Ford, surrounded by workers at the plant.

In April, the Mitsui High-tec celebrated the opening of its second production plant on Fen Ridge. Ground has already been broken for a third major expansion – a 103,000-square-foot facility.

“It will increase production of motor cores, strengthening Ontario’s electric vehicle supply chain,” said Ford, adding the provincial government is supporting the expansion by investing $3.1 million through Invest Ontario, the province’s investment attraction agency.

“As the sole motor parts manufacturer for EVs and hybrid vehicles in Canada, Mitsui High-tec (Canada) Inc., plays an important role in Ontario’s auto and advanced manufacturing sectors,” said Vic Fedeli, minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, who accompanied Ford to the Brantford plant.

Yasushi Harada, president of Mitsui High-tec (Canada), said plans call for the third facility to open next February, with more expansion in 2025.

“With this third expansion, we will be producing five times the amount of motor core we are currently manufacturing,” said Harada. “All of it will be exported into the USA. We are excited to be part of Canada’s supply chain for the EV industry.”

Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis said he was impressed with Mitsui High-tec’s “amazing, modern manufacturing facility.”

“I can’t tell you how much we appreciate you’re here in Brantford,” said Davis. “You’re showing confidence in Brantford by continuing to invest and improve this facility, which produces parts that are absolutely critical for the production of electric motors.”

In 2015, the Japanese company established its initial 100,000 square-foot manufacturing plant in the city, supplying auto makers with 40,000 to 50,000 motor cores per month. With a $25-million, 100,000 square-foot second plant, shipments will initially increase to 60,000 units, ramping up to 120,000 a month by January 2024.

Ford said Mitsui High-tec’s investment furthers “Driving Prosperity,” the government’s 10-year plan to transform Ontario’s automotive supply chain. Over the last two-plus years, he said, Ontario has attracted more than $25 billion in investments from global automakers, parts suppliers and manufacturers of electric vehicle batteries and battery materials.

“With great partners, we’re building an electric vehicle and battery supply chain and making Ontario an auto-manufacturing powerhouse again,” said Ford.