NEWS RELEASE
PROVINCE OF ONTARIO
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BEAMSVILLE — The Ontario government is investing $2 million from the Ontario Together Fund to support OPHARDT Hygiene Technologies Inc. as they expand the local manufacture of soap and sanitizer dispensers, creating 75 new jobs and retaining 96 positions while producing vital products to support the fight against COVID-19.
"It's great to see how our province's manufacturing sector continues to step up and respond with made-in-Ontario solutions in our fight against COVID-19 and create jobs at the same time," said Vic Fedeli, minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. "Companies like OPHARDT Hygiene are supporting our local supply chains and bringing their products to market quickly and safely so we can continue to fight the pandemic today and lay the foundation for Ontario's recovery."
With Ontario's support, OPHARDT will expand its facilities and move the manufacture of soap and sanitizer dispensers from overseas to Beamsville, Ont. The company will increase production to 300,000 dispensers and one million dispenser drive modules per year in Ontario. This will help deliver convenient and precise hygiene solutions to high-traffic areas including airports, shopping malls and medical facilities.
OPHARDT, a global manufacturer of dispensers of soap, sanitizer, paper towels and toilet paper, is investing $7 million in this project, which includes purchasing molding, automation and bottle making equipment.
"Companies like OPHARDT Hygiene have stepped up to the plate throughout the pandemic, showing the Ontario Spirit and creating important sanitizing equipment for use in medical, industrial, and many other settings," said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West. "The leadership shown by so many throughout the Niagara region, including the team at OPHARDT Hygiene, is helping to support the local economy during this very difficult period and keep people safe."
"OPHARDT Hygiene is pleased to be playing an important role in keeping Ontarians healthy during this pandemic," said Ken Friesen, general manager of OPHARDT Hygiene Canada. "I'd like to thank the OPHARDT team for their tireless work throughout this pandemic, and the Ontario government for their quick and decisive action, both of which allowed us to increase output for this life-saving equipment in record time."
Through the Ontario Together Fund, the government is delivering targeted investments that will increase the province's stockpile of made-in-Ontario products and PPE. This new manufacturing and research capacity will help the province to combat the current COVID-19 outbreak and prepare for potential challenges in the future, while supporting local businesses.
Since its launch, the Ontario Together web portal has received more than 30,000 submissions that have resulted in more than 19,000 emergency supply leads. These leads have been converted into more than $910 million in purchases of critical supplies and equipment to support staff on the front lines including:
• more than 29 million gowns; and
• more than 491 million gloves, 148 million masks and over 14 million face shields.
Quick facts
• The Government of Ontario declared its second provincial emergency and issued a stay-at-home-order in response to COVID-19 on Jan. 12, 2021.
• The Ontario government has opened applications for the new Ontario Small Business Support Grant. The grant, first announced in December, provides a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $20,000 to eligible small businesses who have had to restrict their operations due to the province-wide shutdown.
• The government launched the $50 million Ontario Together Fund to help businesses retool their operations to produce PPE and develop technology-driven solutions and services for businesses to reopen safely.
• Businesses and individuals looking to help in the fight against COVID-19 can submit their proposals through the Ontario Together web portal.
• Since launching last July, the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters’ Ontario Made program has been helping the province’s manufacturing base regain and recover revenues lost due to COVID-19. It encourages manufacturers and producers to register and promote their products on the SupportOntarioMade.ca site and use the Ontario Made logo.
• The Workplace PPE Supplier Directory provides businesses with information on personal protective equipment (PPE) suppliers.
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