Manufacturing ‘huge advantage’

For Derek Friesen, an injection of federal funding will allow his company to bring some of its processes north of the border and almost double its employee count in the next few years.

“It would take us five to 10 years to do this in our normal stepped (approach),” said Friesen, owner of PhiBer Manufacturing Inc., a farm equipment maker in southwestern Manitoba. “The support to do it all now … (is) definitely a huge advantage.”

Friesen was in Winnipeg on Thursday as Liberal MP Eleanor Olszewski, minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, announced more than $21 million in federal investments for nine Manitoba-based businesses.

PhiBer is receiving $4.1 million to expand its manufacturing capacity. The company will use the money to build a new plant that will allow it to produce components it once sourced from U.S. suppliers.

Located about 200 kilometres southwest of Winnipeg, in Crystal City, PhiBer employs close to 90 people. Friesen expects to fill more than 80 new positions over the next two or three years.

A quarter of those roles will require highly-skilled workers in engineering, robotics and production, he said. An additional 60 people will go through the company’s in-house training programs and provide production support.

“Training has always been a top priority for our leadership team and we believe that we’re building more than just machines — (we’re) trying to take the human element into what we do,” Friesen said.

“It is our deep honour to receive this support.”

While making the announcement at the National Research Council in CentrePort, Olszewski said the investment is part of the federal government’s plan to build “a more prosperous and a more resilient Canadian economy that works for everyone.”

That means helping every region of the country reach its full potential, she added.

“We’re investing in things that make businesses more competitive, that expand trade within Canada and also around the world and that help businesses scale up and compete in new markets,” Olszewski said.

“One out of every 10 jobs in Manitoba is a manufacturing job and we’re going to help increase that amount.”

Prairie Fava Ltd., a fava bean processing operation in Glenboro, will receive $1.5 million. The company will use the money to optimize processes and expand its grower network to meet the increasing demand for fava beans, said Hailey Jefferies, co-founder.

“This is an investment not just in Prairie Fava but in the farmers we work with, the food innovators we supply and the growing protein marketplace that values Canadian quality and sustainability,” Jefferies said.

ICON Technologies Limited in Winker will receive almost $5 million to expand its recreational vehicle plastic component manufacturing capacity; Morden-based Decor Cabinets Ltd. will use $3.2 million to increase its manufacturing capacity; and Northquip Inc. in Woodlands is receiving $3.3 million to commercialize a line of zero-turn mowers.

Other companies that will receive funding include: Security Glass Ltd. in Winnipeg ($2.7 million to expand its flat glass manufacturing capacity); UKKÖ Robotics Inc. in Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes ($529,284 to expand production of automated agricultural equipment and carbon soil sensor technologies); and Schnell Industries Inc. in Winkler ($423,699 to design, build and market a fully electric transloader for granular materials).

Meanwhile, Portage la Prairie-based Manitoba Organic Alliance Inc. is receiving $278,438 to create a digital marketplace that will connect organic grain producers and buyers.

Olszewski addressed these businesses directly during her announcement, saying she looks forward to seeing how the investments push them forward.

“As your businesses grow, your communities will strengthen, great jobs will be created and we’ll help Manitobans build their futures right where they live,” she said.

“We’ll make sure that Canada’s economy is connected and that it’s competitive, because we know that when Canadians come together, we build things that last.”

Manitoba’s manufacturing sector employed approximately 63,000 people in 2024. In a news release, Prairies Economic Development Canada stated it expects its latest investments to support approximately 285 new jobs.

The success of Manitoba’s manufacturers fuels prosperity not only in the keystone province but across the country, MP Doug Eyolfson said while introducing Olszewski at the Winnipeg event.

“Manitoba’s manufacturing sector is central to Canada’s economy,” he said.

“It creates jobs, drives technological advances, strengthens supply chains and helps ensure our country remains competitive on a global stage.”

aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca