Ontario Supporting Economic Development in North Bay

April 22, 2022

Province Invests in Local Business to Increase Competitiveness, Boost Productivity and Create Jobs in Auto Parts Supply Chain

NORTH BAY — The Ontario government is supporting an investment of $335,000 to support a local mining company, boosting productivity and competitiveness. The province is providing $142,500 in support of Miller Technology’s work through the Ontario Automotive Modernization Program (O-AMP).

Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli announced the funding today. Miller Technology aims to grow its mining business and expand its auto sector businesses, and improve and increase production to bring more battery electric vehicles to the market each year. The project will create six jobs.

“Our government is committed to ensuring Ontario is open for business and open for jobs,” said MPP Fedeli. “Through the O-AMP program, our government is continuing to help small- and medium-sized auto sector suppliers make Ontario a world-leader in the future of auto manufacturing. It’s amazing to see Miller Tech invest in new technology –in particular, new electric vehicle projects – and increase their market share while creating good jobs in North Bay and across Ontario.”

North Bay-based Miller Technology Incorporated, a recognized OEM for electric vehicles, has been designing and fabricating custom utility vehicles for underground mining, specializing in underground transport and infrastructure support. Recently, Miller embarked on two new electrification projects to replace diesel engines with an electric motor and to build a brand-new electric vehicle from the ground up, called the “Relay”.

“Miller Technology is appreciative of our recent approval for funding by the Ontario Automotive Modernization Program (O-AMP) and we want to thank the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade for this support,” said Dan Bachand, the CEO of Miller Technology. “We also want to thank the Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association and the Ontario Government for having the vision to set up the O-AMP funding. The new software we are installing will increase our manufacturing capacity and efficiencies, particularly as it relates to our battery electric vehicles, and lead to more sales, exports and jobs at our facility in North Bay. Miller Technology has a long history of producing reliable utility vehicles for the mining sector and the electric vehicles we are starting to roll out will help lower diesel and carbon emissions in mining and keep Northern Ontario a leader in battery electric vehicles in mining.”

Relaunched in December 2021, O-AMP is helping small- and medium-sized auto parts suppliers make Ontario a world-leader in the future of auto manufacturing. The $22 million O-AMP program will help make suppliers stronger, faster and more resilient by investing in technology adoption and/or training in lean manufacturing. Nearly 150 projects are either underway or completed under the program, and they are expected to create about 821 jobs.

QUICK FACTS

O-AMP supports manufacturing technology adoption, tools and technologies for new product development and/or adoption of lean manufacturing practices. Funding covers up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs up to $150,000, with recipient companies contributing the remainder.
The province’s vehicle assembly facilities are supported by a supply chain comprised of more than 700 parts firms and over 500 tool, die and mold makers.
Ontario has committed $56.4 million over the next four years through the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) to support innovation and transformation in our auto tech system.
The province is home to more than 300 companies and organizations pioneering connected and autonomous vehicle technologies.
Ontario is the only place in North America with five major automakers building vehicles — Stellantis, Ford, General Motors, Honda and Toyota — as well as truck manufacturer Hino.
Over the past 18 months, the automotive sector in Ontario has seen more than $13 billion in investments for new vehicle production mandates and battery manufacturing.
- More than $5 billion of these investments are in transformative hybrid and electric vehicle production at Ontario assembly plants.

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