The Ontario government is putting more than $3.4 million into northern manufacturing, with funding going to 12 companies – including Andy’s Trailers and Manufacturing in Timmins. The province said Thursday that the investment will create about 80 “good-paying jobs” while helping businesses deal with U.S. tariffs and ongoing trade disruptions. George Pirie, Ontario’s minister of northern economic development and growth, said the goal is to keep manufacturing jobs and production in the province. “Manufacturing is under threat, especially under Trump’s tariffs,” said Pirie. “Putting money back into these manufacturing companies; that allows them to grow, change their industries, pivot to different types of consumers. Helps Ontario grow, first of all, not just to survive, but to thrive.” Andy’s Trailers makes trailers for the forestry sector, but the company has had to diversify its operations since the tariffs were introduced. “Yes, we manufactured logging trailers,” said owner Andy Larochelle. “We also pivoted to doing construction sectors and mining sector trailers. So that’s helping us out in that area.” The company is receiving more than $319,000 for new equipment and facility upgrades. Larochelle said the funding will help the company grow. “We’ll buy new equipment. We’ll do some renovations in the factory, we’ll hire some more staff and it’ll give us more growth opportunity to expand our markets,” he said. Companies in Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie will also receive shares of the funding – including Jennmar Canada Ltd. and R.F. Contracting Inc. Pirie said northern manufacturers are already making changes to respond to disruptions in international trade. “I think we’re pivoting very quickly, as we must,” said Pirie. “It’s interesting to see President Trump declaring a truce with China. He hasn’t declared a truce in Canada.” Pirie said the province is also looking at other opportunities to bring more value-added manufacturing and production back to Ontario.
