Canada

Why St. Thomas / London Region?

•  125+ year history of automotive development and production linked directly to the automotive regions of the USA and Mexico as one continuous automotive design and production ecosystem.

• 8 OEM production facilities including Toyota, Honda, Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis (GM BrightDrop Zevo battery electric delivery van included). Their plants are supplied by an ecosystem of nearly 700 parts suppliers, including homegrown Tier 1 companies like Magna, Linamar and Martinrea. 

• Located on the busiest trade highway in North America (401) with $2.0 billion traded per day.

• London International Airport (YXU).

• A manufacturing workforce of 200,000 representing ~14+% of the overall workforce of 1.4 million workers.

• Fully serviced and shovel ready industrial land at or near the 401 highway in high-quality industrial parks.

• Part of the Canada / USA / Mexico free trade agreement known as CUSMA (formerly known as NAFTA).

• Proximity to many natural resources including critical minerals.

• In 2021, Canada ranked fifth worldwide and first in North America in raw materials.

• Ontario is Canada’s third largest mineral producer. In 2021, Ontario produced $11.1B worth of minerals, comprising 20% of Canada’s total mineral production.

• Ontario produces 30% of the country’s cobalt, 24% of its copper, and 36% of its nickel.

• A sustainable energy mix that is 72% clean including nuclear, hydro, wind, solar, and biofuels. 

• Government funding and tax incentives for talent and R&D in targeted industries including manufacturing. 

• Western University is large research-intensive university with highly regarded engineering, business, medical, dental, and law schools, and a full range of graduate and undergraduate programs. Western has an annual enrolment of 40,000 with 60+ undergraduate programs and 45+ Internship and co-op programs. There are 150,000 university students within 120 kms. 

• Fanshawe College is a large regional applied research college providing 23,000 students with practical, job focused skills in 5 locations in the region with 40+ skilled trade and apprenticeship programs, and 33+ co-op programs. 87 % of graduates are employed within one year. 

• Fanshawe programs include customized training for manufacturer needs, a wide range of on-demand and structured courses and workshops for micro-certifications and licensing. Fanshawe provides product testing for thermal, mechanical, electrical, and environmental to meet industry standards and supports employers seeking co-ops, work terms, and internships.