Niagara manufacturer receives Government of Canada investment
Mario Cywinski
Business Operations Digital Transformation In-Depth Innovation & Technology Leadership Operations Production Sustainability Automotive Government Manufacturing Packaging Resource Sector Transportation advanced manufacturing automotive Canada climate-controlled facility Editor Pick Embracing innovation FBT Inc FedDev Ontario Federal Economic Development Agency government government of canada manufacturing manufacturing investment milling machines Ontario Sustainability Technology
Photo: Mario Cywinski
FBT Inc., received a $4 million investment from the Government of Canada’s Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), for its 40,000 square-foot facility in St. Catharines, Ont.
Photo: Mario Cywinski
“Embracing innovation has always been at the core of FBT Inc.’s values,” said Rob Forstinger, President, FBT Inc. “The enhanced efficiency will benefit existing clients and open up new capacity to engage in dedicated partnerships with businesses seeking long-term collaboration. Our commitment to fostering dedicated partnership opportunities is driven by our desire to forge strong, mutually beneficial relationships with our clients.”
As a result of the investment, FBT will be able to upgrade its climate-controlled facility. It will be able to adopt new robotic and automated solutions, which will increase its machine components and parts production by up to 75 per cent. FBT will also be able to fulfill its growing list of orders, while creating 40 skilled jobs.
Photo: Mario Cywinski
Photo: Mario Cywinski
Photo: Mario Cywinski
FBT’s plant has a wide array of equipment. Including milling machines, mill turns, lathes, punch presses, measuring equipment, wire EDM, vertical EDM, jig grinding, cylindrical grinding, drilling machines, CAD cam, deburring equipment, surface grinding, and many others. An inspection lab features five coordinate measuring machines.
“Today’s investment in FBT Inc. will help the company increase productivity while creating good jobs in St. Catharines,” said Chris Bittle, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines. “By investing in businesses like this, our government is taking the necessary steps to boost Canada’s manufacturing sector and domestic supply chain in critical sectors while contributing to a more resilient future.”
Photo: Mario Cywinski
Photo: Mario Cywinski
Photo: Mario Cywinski
FBT was established in 1945 as F-B Tool & Die Limited, it has grown over the years to become an advanced manufacturing company specializing in the design and manufacturing of precision tooling components for SMEs and Fortune 500 companies in North America. Its parts are used in automotive, mining/oil and gas, packaging, and power generation/energy industries. Its name, FBT, stands for Forstinger Baumann Technologies, named after its founders.
Photo: Mario Cywinski
“Ontario’s manufacturing industry is the engine that drives our national economy forward. Our government is investing in the people that make it run,” said The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for FedDev Ontario. “By making smart investments in manufacturers, like FBT Inc., we are working together to help these businesses grow which will create good paying jobs for our communities, and ensure a healthy environment for generations.”
Tassi, Forstinger and Bittle, were joined by Vance Badawey, MP for Niagara Centre, members of the media, invited guests, and FBT employees for the announcement.
“Today’s announcement is great news for the Niagara region,” said Badawey. “This is a leap forward in developing made-in-Canada capabilities to strengthen our regional economy, while creating important jobs for the community.”
