Traditional and Advanced Manufacturing Growth

The manufacturing sector in Thunder Bay is poised for strong growth due to the city’s strong economic performance, low property and operating costs, highly skilled labour force and proximity to US and global markets.

Thunder Bay is currently home to over 177 manufacturing businesses, which makes up just over 5% of its labour force. Internationally recognized companies, such as Bombardier and Resolute Forest Products, have a proud history of manufacturing in Thunder Bay.

Today, exciting new opportunities are emerging in traditional, advanced and specialized manufacturing sectors including wood products, aeropace, life sciences, clean water, food and beverage, agriculture, mining machinery and transportation.  

Manufacturing Programs and Services

Industry Canada

Industry Canada's mission is to foster a growing, competitive, knowledge-based Canadian economy. The Department works with Canadians throughout the economy and in all parts of the country to improve conditions for investment, improve Canada's innovation performance, increase Canada's share of global trade and build a fair, efficient and competitive marketplace.

FedNor

FedNor is a federal regional development organization in Ontario that works with a variety of partners, as both a facilitator and catalyst, to help create an environment in which communities can thrive, businesses can grow and people can prosper.

Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC)

For over 20 years, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) has been building great ideas into great futures for Northern Ontario. Today, NOHFC continues to help new ideas take root in the North with seven unique programs designed to foster job creation and strengthen the economies of our northern communities.

Our Manufacturing Sector

Manufacturing has been a strong industry for Thunder Bay since 1912. With Thunder Bay’s central location within Canada and close proximity to the US border there is an extensive transportation network that allows businesses in Thunder Bay to ship, import and export materials and finished products quickly and efficiently. That’s why companies like Bombardier, and its predecessors, have been operating diverse and successful manufacturing facilities here for over 100 years.

Industry Diversification

Manufacturing businesses located in Thunder Bay
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Talented Labour Force

Trades people in Northwestern Ontario
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Cost Effective Labour

Lower average cost of labour than the Canadian average
0 %
from the Pigeon River crossing to the US market
0 km

Rail
Access to 2 major railways, Canadian National (CN) & Canadian Pacific (CP). Provides access across Canada, through the US, and ports on 3 coasts.

largest port in Canada
0 th

Air
2 hour flight from major centres in the US and Canada. Airport moves over 800,000 passengers per year

Road
300 km/186 mi to Interstate 35 linking to to the US-Mexico border. 346 km/215 mi from the Fort Frances/International Falls border crossing.

of CN Rail track through Canada & US
0 km

Water
Largest outbound port on the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System. One of Canada’s largest warehousing and transshipment complexes

busiest airport in Ontario
rd

Leading The Way in Specialized Manufacturing

Specialized Manufacturing Labour Force

Incentives / Funding Programs

SR&ED

Refundable Investment Tax Credit offered to Canadian Controlled Private Corporations on qualified expenses
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NOHFC

Funding up to 50% on eligible project costs
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FedNor

Has been invested through FedNor since 2011
$ 0 m
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