By: Saeed Akhtar, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Tilbury Times Reporter
The Ontario government is celebrating a major boost to Southwestern Ontario’s manufacturing sector as Dajcor Aluminum Ltd. announces a $1,598,250 investment to expand operations and create 24 new good‑paying jobs in Chatham-Kent. The project, supported through the province’s Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF), marks another step in strengthening regional industry and enhancing Ontario’s competitive edge.
The investment was supported by Trevor Jones, MPP for Chatham-Kent–Leamington, who said the project reflects the province’s commitment to fostering growth and stability in key economic sectors.
“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,” Jones said. “Dajcor Aluminum’s investment will support growth and innovation across the local manufacturing sector and create more good-paying jobs for workers and families in Southwestern Ontario.”
Dajcor Aluminum, a leading manufacturer of extruded and fabricated aluminum components, will use the investment to upgrade machine fabrication, cutting, heating, and environmental processes. The improvements are expected to increase production capacity across multiple stages of manufacturing and help the company achieve a projected 54% revenue growth by 2027. The company is also integrating new technology to reduce unproductive labour and improve efficiency at its presses, with a goal of lowering scrap rates by up to 25%, further boosting profitability.
Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, Vic Fedeli, said the investment underscores the importance of manufacturing to the province’s economic strength.
“Employing more than 800,000 workers across the province, Ontario’s manufacturing sector is the economic engine of our nation,” Fedeli said. “Our government is proud to support local companies like Dajcor Aluminum as they expand their operations, and we thank them for their contributions to Ontario’s dynamic and growing manufacturing ecosystem.”
To support the expansion, the province is providing $1,598,250 through the Regional Development Program, which helps manufacturers modernize, adopt new technologies, and scale up production. The program has become a cornerstone of Ontario’s economic strategy, particularly in regions where manufacturing plays a central role in job creation and community stability.
Since launching in 2019, the Regional Development Program has supported more than 165 projects, leveraging over $2.1 billion in new investments and helping create more than 4,000 jobs across Ontario. The province has also expanded the program through the Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness (AMIC) stream, designed to help advanced manufacturers improve productivity and strengthen supply chains.
In addition to direct funding programs, Ontario continues to support manufacturers through initiatives such as the Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit and the newly launched $50 million Ontario Together Trade Fund, which helps businesses capitalize on interprovincial trade opportunities.
For Chatham-Kent, the investment represents both economic momentum and renewed confidence in the region’s skilled workforce. With 24 new jobs on the way and major upgrades planned, Dajcor Aluminum’s expansion is expected to contribute to long-term growth in the local manufacturing landscape.
