MORE OF MAGNA IN ONTARIO

By Éric Descarries

Magna International Inc. announced last February 15 it would be investing $470 million to inaugurate a new battery enclosure plant in Brampton, Ont. At the same time, Magna announced as well it would be expanding five of its other auto parts manufacturing facilities in southern Ontario.

The new battery enclosure plant will cover almost 500,000 square feet (45,000 square metres) and employ 560 staff when it gets up to full capacity. The product it will focus on is housings to protect high-voltage batteries and electrical components and sensors for the Ford F-150 Lightning. Other parts are planned for future electric models coming up  for the U.S. automaker’s Oakville Assembly Complex. A Magna plant in St. Thomas, outside London, Ont. is already building the component for the first two stages of the program.