Ramsden Industries is launching a $6.1- million expansion of its aluminium castings plant on Oakland Avenue with help from a private grant. The70 year’s old company has grown steadily in London while keeping a low profile.
Ramsden Industries is primarily investing in new technology to increase process automation and connect two adjacent facilities, which they believe would allow them to connect better with new clients.
“Our customers are demanding and the industry is changing. In North America it will take a lot more value-added technology to be competitive,” said General Manager Andrew Ramsden, whose grandfather, Jack Ramsden, founded the company in 1946.
During a meet at the Ramsden Industries plant, Deb Matthews, London North Centre Liberal MPP announced that the company would be receiving $611,000 from the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund. The funds will contribute about 10 per cent of the expansion costs.
Ramsden Industries specializes in various aluminium casting applications. Ramsden is a single source supplier for Permanent Mold Castings in and around London. They manufacture a variety of aluminium casting products for the automotive, industrial and defence industries. They directly export about 30 per cent of the products across North America and some products are shipped around the world.
The expansion will also allow the company to create about 14 new jobs, bringing the total number of staff to 70. Hiring process has already begun and the expansion is expected to be completed by September.
According to Jason Bates from London Region Manufacturing Council, Ramsden is a model company that is investing towards automation and up gradation to compete with foreign competitors.
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