Kuntz Electroplating in Kitchener, Ontario, is receiving $3 million to create jobs and strengthen its manufacturing capabilities in the automotive and electric vehicle industry
The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), joined Valerie Bradford, Member of Parliament for Kitchener South–Hespeler, and Tim Louis, Member of Parliament for Kitchener–Conestoga, to announce the Government of Canada’s investment for Kuntz to strengthen its manufacturing capabilities, create 45 new jobs in the automotive and EV industry and support the growing green economy.
KEI is one of Kitchener’s longest-running family-owned businesses and is one of North America’s leading manufacturers of electroplated and powder-coated exterior components for the automotive and motorcycle industries. This investment will help KEI to modify its existing production lines and add new equipment to meet growing demand from the EV market for its services.
“Supporting family businesses like Kuntz Electroplating Inc. will help create good local jobs and develop new manufacturing capabilities to support Canada’s growing EV and manufacturing sector,” Tassi says. “Our Government is focused on elevating local communities by investing in the people that have the potential to turn possibilities into reality. We will continue to work together to deliver more for Canadians and grow an economy that works for everyone.”
Tassi says the project will help KEI enter the clean technology sector and fulfill larger volume orders and serve new clients by offering more environmentally sustainable solutions, including in the EV sector. With this investment, KEI will strengthen the manufacturing sector in Kitchener and position itself for long-term growth.
“Today’s investment is supporting innovation and modernization of our manufacturing sector, which will help contribute to a greener future for Canadians,” Tassi says.
Jeff Regehr, Vice President of Finance for Kuntz Electroplating, says they are appreciative of the support KEI is receiving from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario through the Jobs and Growth Fund.
“This support will help us add new products, access new markets, and continue to be globally competitive from our Kitchener location through investment in state-of-the-art technologies for the North American electric vehicle market,” Regehr says.
Established in 1948 and incorporated in 1990, Kuntz Electroplating Inc. is a family-owned business that is now under third-generation management. It operates out of a 340,000-square-foot facility in Kitchener with 290 full-time employees.
Kuntz Electroplating Inc. was recently awarded a large contract from the Canadian branch of a multinational automotive parts manufacturer to powder coat EV battery components for one of the world’s largest automakers and also secured contracts from Harley Davidson Motor Co.
Since November 2015, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has invested over $717.4 million in 340 manufacturing projects, creating over 9,100 jobs and maintaining nearly 9,000 jobs. Since 2015, FedDev Ontario has invested more than $41.5 million in 12 EV-related projects, creating and maintaining more than 400 jobs.
Visit https://kuntz.com
