PALMERSTON – The provincial government will contribute $1.5 million toward a $10-million expansion and production enhancement project expected to create 68 new jobs at the Trusscore manufacturing facility here.
Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae announced the funding on behalf of Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli during a May 3 visit to the plant, located in the Town of Minto’s Palmerston Industrial Park.
“It’s wonderful to see investments like these being brought to our community to further improve the good work that Trusscore is doing in providing good paying jobs and retaining those jobs locally,” stated Rae.
He called Trusscore “an innovative and global leader” in the building materials sector.
“Whether it’s residential, commercial, agribusiness … the building materials they’re developing are sustainable materials that will help reduce the plastic waste in our landfills, but also replace and revolutionize, I would argue, the drywall industry across North America,” Rae said.
“They’re also a very community-focused business, contributing immensely to our local economy here in Palmerston.
“Though they are locally based, obviously, they are focused on global markets, especially in North America.”
The provincial funds will form part of Trusscore’s $10-million investment to improve its manufacturing processes.
CEO Dave Caputo said the company, which currently employs about 200 people and also has manufacturing facilities in Calgary and Ohio, is “incredibly grateful” to receive the funding.
“This significant investment will allow Trusscore to take our operations to the next level by upgrading and expanding our Palmerston manufacturing facility, implementing state-of-the-art systems, and focusing on the development and commercialization of innovative high-tech solutions to the building materials industry,” said Caputo.
“We will create new jobs for the community and be able to meet the ever-growing demand for Trusscore products.
“This grant is a testament to the hard work and dedication of ‘Team Trusscore,’ and we are confident that it will position us for continued growth and success in the future.”
Caputo added, “Trusscore is a material science company for sustainable building materials with the ultimate vision, as audacious as is it may sound, to become a true drywall alternative.
“And we’re working on some really innovative stuff and this investment from Ontario, along with our investment, will make a big difference.”
Trusscore chief manufacturing officer Steve Bosman, left, shows Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae around the company’s Palmerston facility. Photo by Patrick Raftis
“Our government is proud to support local manufacturers across the province as they grow and create more good-paying jobs in their communities,” Fedeli stated in a press release.
“Investing in these types of community-building projects will help us continue to build Ontario and strengthen the economy.
“We thank Trusscore for making a significant impact in their community and for contributing to our province’s dynamic and growing manufacturing sector.”
The provincial funding comes through the recently-launched Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness stream of the province’s Regional Development Program (RDP).
The RDP is a $100-million fund designed to strengthen the advanced manufacturing sector and help meet regional needs.
“The program provides cost-shared funding to businesses, municipalities, and economic development organizations to help local communities attract investment, diversify their economies, and create jobs,” the press release states.
The Trusscore project will integrate new technologies by upgrading existing equipment and improving efficiencies in its plastics extrusion manufacturing processes.
The project also focuses on the development and commercialization of the company’s “digital paint” concept, which allows a user to instantly change the surface colour of Trusscore’s PVC wallboard product through use of technology such as a tablet or smart phone, the release states.
