Fairly non-descript on the outside, a manufacturing facility on Michener Road houses a small but growing workforce, and some highly advanced technology and processes.
MTM Automation and Aerospace Manufacturing was visited Friday morning by Guelph MPP Liz Sandals and members of the press, as it launches a new program of growth.
The company makes precision parts for drilling equipment in the oil and gas sector, helicopter parts for the military, and specialized components for electric cars.
Sandals dropped in on MTM president Marijan Munjic and general manager Vukoman Malidzanovic for a provincial announcement that will fund 10 per cent of a company expansion.
The MPP announced a $175,100 investment from the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund for an estimated $1.75 million company investment.
The company is spending on new, leading-edge equipment that will grow the plant’s capacity, make it more efficient, and retain its current workforce, while increasing that workforce by 50 per cent, or six new positions, by next year.
Munjic said during the announcement that there are signs of recovery in the North American economy, particularly in the oil and gas sector. He anticipates that MTM could grow fairly rapidly in the coming months.
He said many manufacturers across North America that specialize in oil and gas sector components have closed down in recent times, as the sector has slumped. His customers have continued to “send us small work” to ensure that MTM is ready to meet demand when it comes. The company, Munjic added, has kept its highly skilled workers employed because he has a great team, and such people are increasingly difficult to find.
“We have kept our people, and as the economy picks up we will use this opportunity to grow together,” he said. “That is our goal.”
He foresees more than doubling in his current workforce in relatively short order, and boosting production to a minimum of two shifts.
Sandals said the manufacturing sector is vitally important to Ontario. And while Guelph is strong in the area of agriculture, food and agricultural technology, what people may not realize is that its manufacturing sector is the largest local employer.
A strong manufacturing sector, she said, creates a strong local and provincial economy, and generates the wealth needed to pay for hospitals, schools and an array of provincial services.
Local manufacturers face intense global competition, she said.
“Manufacturing jobs are continuing to move low-cost jurisdictions around the world,” she added. “So the question is always, how do we compete with that? And I think the answer lies in being more innovative than our competitors, using better technology to be more productive and make better products, and by having the most highly skilled workforce.”
MTM has put all of those characteristics together and is able to thrive in Guelph, she said. And it has the kind of operation that the province is eager to support.
