By: Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Chatham Voice
Ideal Can Inc. can – and will – boost Chatham-Kent’s economy.
As Canada’s largest can manufacturer, the Quebec-based company is ready to open a second plant in the former Crown Metal Packaging site in Chatham, eventually bringing more than 225 new jobs to the municipality.
Company CEO Erick Vachon was on hand last week at Chatham-Kent’s Workforce Week Job Fair accepting applications on behalf of his company.
Vachon, who was joined by his wife Martine at the event, said he’s looking forward to expanding in Chatham-Kent, noting that producing steel cans closer to Southwestern Ontario’s abundant fruit and vegetable industry “makes sense,” shaving down rising transportation costs.
Plus, Vachon told The Voice, the company will utilize some of the infrastructure at the Irwin Street site and draw on the knowledge of former Crown employees.
“We have access to the same team and the right people,” Vachon explained, noting experienced workers can be hired to train younger employees.
U.S.-imposed tariffs and uncertainty around border issues are other reasons why it’s important to manufacture cans right here at home.
Having a Canadian can producer is “very important to Canadian food security,” Vachon stressed, noting U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats, such as stopping the Gordie Howe Bridge from opening, threaten Canadian food sovereignty.
“We call this independence for the industry,” he said of increasing can production, adding it begins with Canadian farmers and Canadian steel before the food makes its way to the consumer.
Ideal Can’s Quebec plant currently produces 600 million cans per year, and, according to Vachon, the Chatham plant will produce an additional 300 million more by this summer. That’s due to an $85-million investment, and there are plans to invest millions more.
Ideal has also opened a factory in Hamilton to produce steel to supply the raw material.
Mayor Darrin Canniff said the Ideal Can facility is a boost to the municipality’s growth.
“It’s providing a significant amount of jobs in the community and it’s a great opportunity to use Canadian steel,” Canniff said. “It’s a Canadian solution right here in Chatham-Kent.”
