Linear Transfer Automation celebrate Barrie expansion

Barrie manufacturer's success leads to expansion The success of a Barrie manufacturer has lead to a big expansion. K.C. Colby has more.

A local manufacturer is marking a major expansion.

Linear Transfer Automation has added a world-class design department to their Barrie plant. The expansion is being called “trailblazing” and officials say business is booming.

“In the last seven years we've grown from five employees and 7,000 square feet to 45,000 square feet and just under 100 employees,” says Paul Stirrett, Vice President of sales.

The company makes linear robots for the auto industry across North America. Their talent pool runs deep in the community and is fueling the local economy.

“The president of this company tells me they source just about everything within about 50 kilometers and most of it from Barrie,” says Mayor Jeff Lehman. “We have students from Georgian College. A lot of the employees are graduates of Georgian College. On the shop floor I’m looking at a Canadian Crane, that's another Barrie company."

The local expansion they're celebrating isn't the end. They're planning to grow in Barrie on seven more acres of nearby land. They’re also planning an expansion in southeast Asia.

On April 20, Barrie will host its first manufacturing summit. Industry leaders from across North America will speak to new innovations and technologies.