Ontario pledges $1.2M for Barrie business expansion
The Ontario government has pledged $1.2 million to help a Barrie company expand its production plant.
The province announced the funding for disinfectant-wipe manufacturer Empack Spraytech Inc. on January 10. The money, which is being provided through the Ontario Together Fund, will supplement the firm’s own $10-million investment in the project.
The provincial investment will support Empack’s new 100,000-square foot facility, of which 25,000 square feet will have the capacity to produce more than four million wipes per day in order to meet continued and growing demand for disinfectant wipes since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The company produces disinfectant wipes under the Zytec Germ Buster brand.
Empack will manufacture a range of Health Canada approved disinfectant wipes using various active ingredients including citric acid, benzalkonium chloride, and combinations of quaternary ammonium compounds, all of which have been tested to prove efficacy against COVID-19.
It is also developing new products using hydrogen peroxide at the new facility to further expand its markets. The project will also carry out modifications at the project facility as well as purchase and install a fully automated production line.
The Ontario Together Fund is focused on supporting homegrown manufacturing and innovation to combat COVID-19 and providing other goods critical to the health, safety and security of the province beyond this pandemic.
“Through the Ontario Together Fund, our government is making important targeted investments in domestic businesses with the ideas and innovative solutions to help us through this pandemic and put us on the road to economic recovery,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “With Ontario’s support, Empack Spraytech will be able to expand its production capabilities which will continue to enhance the province’s resilience to future challenges and demands on our healthcare system.”
Empack Spraytech is a privately-owned, family-operated Canadian manufacturer of personal care, OTC drug, automotive, industrial and other household products in aerosol, liquid, gel, wipes and other formats. The company manufactures such brands such as Zytec and Emzone. Founded in 1999, it employs more than 170 people in Brampton and Barrie.
“As a proud member of the communities of Barrie and Brampton and the Province of Ontario, Empack stands ready to support our communities in times of need,” said Ara Nalbandian, executive vice president of Empack Spraytech Inc. “The OTF program helped support our efforts in completing our project to meet the current and future needs for disinfectant wipes for the province of Ontario to help in the fight against COVID-19 with reliable, high quality, made in Ontario product.”