ALFRED, Ont. – Muskoka Cabinet Co. will receive a $625,000 investment from FedDev Ontario to support the residential cabinetry manufacturer’s technology improvements.
The news was announced June 10 by Marie-France Lalonde, Parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (FedDev Ontario), along with Francis Drouin, Member of Parliament for Glengarry–Prescott–Russell.
Muskoka Cabinet Co. is an Industry 4.0-enabled manufacturer that sells to home builders and contractors. The company will adopt a first-in-Canada, state-of-the-art cabinet panel finishing line, that will enable it to increase its productivity by 50 percent and support its overall competitiveness.
“Funding like this from FedDev Ontario has allowed Muskoka to push the limits of technology otherwise unafforded by companies our size. I attribute our success to having many key partners internally and externally. Not only will this funding create new jobs, but advancing technology always creates better, higher-paying jobs,” said Luke Elias, Muskoka Cabinet president and CEO.
Muskoka Cabinet said it plans to add seven new full-time jobs in the Township of Alfred and Plantagenet.
Established in 1985, Muskoka Cabinet Co.. is a major cabinetry producer. The company has introduced first-in-Canada technologies including a proprietary enterprise resource planning software to manage its production environment, as well as introducing green materials with low or no volatile organic compounds emissions in its products. Under Elias’ leadership, Muskoka Cabinet also was an early adopter of nested-based manufacturing, automated water-based finishing, RFID product tracking, robotics, and automated part tracking and movement. Elias has detailed the company’s automation achievements at industry events, including the 2019 WMS Conference & Expo, and in Woodworking Network articles.
“Investments like the one we are making in Muskoka Cabinet Co., allowing it to adopt first-in-Canada technology, give businesses the support they need to scale up and create new, local jobs. Our Government is also working hard to be there for our rural and Francophone communities like Alfred and Plantagenet as part of an inclusive recovery that leaves no one behind,” Lalonde said.
FedDev Ontario’s repayable contribution will leverage an additional $1.87 million in private sector investment. More than one in 10 of Ontario’s jobs are in the manufacturing sector. Advanced manufacturing has contributed to a large share of job creation, accounting for half of the approximately 45,000 skilled jobs created in Ontario since 2010.
“Our Government has been there for workers, businesses and underrepresented groups since the start of this pandemic. This investment in Muskoka Cabinet Co. enables the company to grow, and strengthens the community. Manufacturing is a cornerstone of Canada’s economy and we are here to help this sector thrive in a post-pandemic Canada,” said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.
“Today’s investment is great news for the Alfred and Plantagenet community. We proudly support Muskoka Cabinet Co. Inc., as it builds on its innovative model, adopts new production capabilities, stays competitive and creates seven jobs,” added Francis Drouin, member of Parliament for Glengarry–Prescott–Russell.
Since 2015, FedDev Ontario has invested over $567 million in more than 260 projects in both the advanced manufacturing and manufacturing sectors, and over $44 million in more than 100 OLMC projects.