Martinrea International Inc. unveiled its new 3,000-metric-ton SIMPAC transfer press at a dedication ceremony last Thursday in Ridgetown, Ont. The $35-million expansion aims to enhance the company's capabilities in the North American automotive market, addressing the demand for lightweight, high-strength metal solutions.

This investment highlights Martinrea's commitment to innovation and growth within Ontario's manufacturing sector, providing local employment opportunities and contributing to the regional economy.

A new era of manufacturing at Martinrea International Inc. was celebrated last week with the introduction of its new 3,000-metric-ton SIMPAC transfer press in its $35-million expanded facility.

Martinrea management and staff, along with local government officials and guests, were on hand for the dedication ceremony last Thursday at the Golf Course Line plant.

“It’s a special day for us here in Ridgetown; it’s been a while since we’ve had an event to this extent … and we’re quite proud,” said Don Gillier, General Manager of the Ridgetown plant.

The initiative is part of Martinrea’s strategy to expand its presence and capabilities in the North American automotive market by addressing the growing demand for lightweight, high-strength metal solutions.

The new stamping press, built in South Korea, enables the production of larger, more complex parts, including body-in-white components, battery enclosures, and chassis parts, while enhancing production efficiency and quality by minimizing waste and energy consumption.

“It’s capable of running both coil steel and blank steel,” Gillier said. “This is something we need to do to be competitive in the large stamping market.”

Martinrea also used its own technology to implement a press-health sensory-monitoring process, which Gillier said is already being used in its large presses.

“It uses AI technology to track and monitor temperatures, vibration analysis and everything else, as the intent is we’re proactively monitoring the press rather than reactively when we have to do repairs,” he said.

To accommodate the large press, Martinrea built a 34,000-square-foot expansion with a 30-foot basement to collect the scrap.

Gillier said a new technology scrap-shaking system to remove steel is being implemented, with room to install an aluminum separator when they expand into other products.

“The e-transfer system will allow the production of large and more complex parts or stampings for our customers, whether it be in-body white, battery enclosures, chassis components; it will give us unlimited capability for a press of its size,” Gillier said. “It uses minimal labour during a changeover process, which is key for us to be competitive in a global market.”

“It uses a lot of technology that allows us to change the press over at a high speed with minimal manpower, which results in reduced changeover times and enhanced production efficiency and minimizes waste in the process, which is key for us,” stated Gillier.

This is the fourth stamping press of its size in Martinrea’s facilities, with two in plants in Mexico and one in Kentucky.

It is also the second largest press among tier-one suppliers in Canada.

“The size and technology of the press will allow Martinrea to address the high demand for lightweight, high-strength metal solutions in a global automotive industry,” said Gillier. “This is something that’s changing quite a bit; we’re getting into a lot of higher-strength materials, Gen-3 materials, which require larger presses to be able to handle and manage these large tools for these weight reductions on vehicles.”

Gillier expressed his gratitude to several company officials, plant workers, and UNIFOR, as Martinrea and the union negotiated a four-year contract that provided labour stability during a downturn in the industry.

Pat D’Eramo, Martinrea Chief Executive Officer, congratulated the local employees for their determination and commitment to keep the plant moving forward and setting the stage for the new era with the SIMPAC press.

He also pointed out the importance of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement as the company navigates the tariffs imposed by the American government.

“The USMCA allows the supply base, including this plant, to cross borders despite all the tariff talk,” he said. “It’s essential and very critical to our business, both in Canada and Mexico.”

“This plant is actually closer to most of the Detroit assembly plants than our Michigan plant,” he added. “We’re going to continue to support those types of efforts because they do make a huge difference in the North American capability.”

Rob Wildeboer, Executive Chairman, thanked the Ontario government for its support of the auto industry, as well as the local employees for their dedication in helping Martinrea continue to grow and prosper.

“This company is 25 years old this year, and we’ve gone from zero in revenues to a five-billion Canadian company,” Wildeboer told the audience. “We have 16,000 people worldwide, close to 2,000 in Canada, and we’ve grown in different places.”

“We’ve done it with great people everywhere, a great culture started here in Ontario,” said Wildeboer. “We look to continue to grow and develop the culture.”

Trevor Jones, MPP for Chatham-Kent Leamington, brought greetings from the provincial government.

He said Thursday’s announcement represents confidence in the skilled workforce in Chatham-Kent and across Ontario “to make our region one of the best places to invest, manufacture, grow and raise our families. Agriculture and manufacturing are a big part of who we are, and facilities like Martinrea continue to provide rewarding opportunities for local families and contribute to our regional economy Your investment helps protect Ontario families by ensuring we remain a competitive destination for advanced manufacturing and for families to set up shop, develop deep roots, and call this place home. As our automotive sector continues to evolve, new technologies and changing market demands require companies like Martinrea to position our province as a global leader in innovation, engineering excellence, and high-quality, safe production. I want to recognize Ridgetown, Unifor, our leadership team and every employee and family member here because your commitment, expertise and pride in your work is a foundation for Chatham-Kent’s success.”

The Ridgetown plant was established in 1987, acquired by Martinrea in 2006 and currently employs approximately 150 people.

The plant is one of Martinrea’s 56 locations across 10 countries.