This press release was originally written and published by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. Read the full press release here.

Government of Canada supports growth of six companies located in Burlington, Oakville and Stoney Creek

July 3, 2024 – Burlington, Ontario

The Halton and Hamilton regions are home to one of Canada’s fastest growing, diverse and vibrant economies. To remain at the forefront of innovation, it is important that businesses and organizations are able to access the support needed to continue to bring new critical solutions to market, especially in the growing artificial intelligence (AI) and zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) sectors.

Today, on behalf of the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), the Honourable Karina Gould, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Member of Parliament for Burlington, visited n!Biomachines, a subsidiary of The Cultivated B, to announce an investment of over $8.5 million for six businesses to support the artificial intelligence (AI), electric vehicles (EV), manufacturing, aerospace and life science sectors: Aethon Aerial Solutions Inc., GL CHEMTEC International Inc., JFE Shoji Power Canada Inc., Merq Automation Inc., M&G Steel Ltd. and n!Biomachines.

A Burlington-based developer and manufacturer of affordable, user-friendly bioreactor systems, n!Biomachines is making the adoption of bioprocesses affordable across various sectors, including food, supplement and personal care. While touring the facility, Minister Gould learned about how the company is overcoming growth barriers, improving productivity and enhancing its production of alternative and more environmentally-friendly protein sources for various industries at a commercial scale, with support from a $1.25 million federal investment.

Earlier in the day, the Honourable Anita Anand, President of the Treasury Board and Member of Parliament for Oakville, visited Oakville-based GL CHEMTEC International to learn more about how, with support from a $750,000 federal investment, they are establishing a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-certified production space to produce Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) for drug discovery, delivery and development in clinical trials.

Additional information on federal support for these projects is included in the backgrounder.

Canadian businesses are working hard to unlock growth opportunities, bring new Canadian-made products and services to market, and create skilled jobs for long-term economic prosperity. The Government of Canada is working to ensure we are setting businesses up for success and that Canada remains a leader across its critical sectors.

Quotes

“Businesses located in the Halton, Hamilton and surrounding area play a pivotal role in our economy thanks to the concentration of diverse industries, top-tier research institutions and a talented workforce. These investments today demonstrate our government’s commitment to support our local businesses as they scale up, grow, create skilled jobs, and help to strengthen and grow critical sectors.”

The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

“The six companies being celebrated today are a testament to the strength of this region. Together we are supporting our local businesses as they grow and strengthen their manufacturing and technological capacities, including in critical sectors like artificial intelligence and electric vehicles, compete in global markets and create skilled jobs in the region.”

The Honourable Karina Gould, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Member of Parliament for Burlington

“The companies recognized today are a great example of the innovative business and talented workforce that we have right here in the region. These projects will increase made-in-Canada manufacturing capabilities and support critical sectors including artificial intelligence (AI), electric vehicles (EV), manufacturing, aerospace, life sciences and biotechnology.”

The Honourable Anita Anand, President of the Treasury Board and Member of Parliament for Oakville

“We are honoured to receive support from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. This investment recognizes the Ontario region and Canada as a growing hub for cellular agriculture solutions. Our company is committed to providing sustainable and transformative technology solutions to further drive growth regionally and globally.”

Dr. Hamid Noori, Founder and CEO, n!Biomachines

“GL CHEMTEC is grateful for FedDev Ontario’s support, enabling us to build a GMP facility for API manufacturing and expanding on our 2020 investment in a pilot plant for pre-clinical tox batches. This continued growth strengthens Canada’s pharmaceutical capabilities and demonstrates our commitment to advancing our pharma industry.”

Gamil Alhakimi, CEO, GL CHEMTEC International Ltd.

Quick facts

• Established in 2016, Burlington-based Aethon Aerial Inc. provides hardware and software that facilitates the inspection, management, and optimization of electrical utility infrastructure.
• Established in 2002, Oakville-based GL CHEMTEC International Ltd. specializes in developing and manufacturing pharmaceutical ingredients to support the life sciences sector.
• Founded in 1972 and previously known as Cogent Power, JFE Shoji Power Canada is a Burlington-based company that supplies electrical steel and manufactured core components for the production of electric motors, ZEV powertrains, and power transformers.
• Incorporated in 2013, Hamilton-based Merq Automation Inc. provides laboratory equipment, automation and custom tooling solutions for the life sciences, food safety, and environmental sectors.
• Oakville-based M&G Steel Ltd. is a manufacturer of structural steel solutions for architects and general contractors for use in building solid structures for industrial and commercial markets.
• Incorporated in 2021, Burlington-based n!Biomachines Ltd. creates specialized bioreactors to easily and affordably scale cellular agriculture for use in the food, supplement and personal care industries. A bioreactor is a vessel used to grow cells or microorganisms under tightly controlled conditions.
• Since 2015, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has invested over $60 million in more than 130 projects with businesses and organizations in Halton, Oakville, Burlington, Milton, estimated to have supported 2,800 jobs.