One of North America’s foremost advanced technology suppliers to the automotive industry has announced plans to build a $6 million facility on nearly five acres in the Bloomfield Business Park.
IATGlobal plans to begin immediate construction on the 47,000-square-foot facility, which is expected to be completed by summer of 2018.
The firm was founded more than two decades ago and combines a high-precision machining business with an integration of automated manufacturing solutions.
Aleem Ahamed, President and CEO of The Regency Group, which owns IATGlobal, said a number of factors contributed to the decision to locate the new facility in Chatham-Kent. The firm already employs 39 people locally through NH Global Design Inc. who will move to the new site upon completion.
“The Bloomfield Business Park was the perfect location given exposure to Highway 401, availability of land, soil conditions and due diligence assistance provided by the municipality,” Ahamed said in a release.
Today’s announcement brings the group’s total investment in the area to $20 million and it has hopes to see that amount increase.
“We have room to double the size of the building in the future and hope to do so as the company continues to grow.” Ahamed said.
He said the firm employs a variety of skilled trades – machinists, assembly personnel, design engineers, estimating engineers, sales professionals, and administrative staff.
“We have developed an apprenticeship program as an intake program to develop the youth in the community and provide them with an easy entry point into the business,” Ahamed said. “We believe our business is in an exciting, fast-moving industry and one that represents the future of manufacturing. We are always looking for talented, energetic individuals to join our growing team.”
Denis Gauthier, Vice President of Project Development for the Rosati Group, which is building the structure and recommended the site, had high praise for the municipality during the site selection process.
“Working with the Chatham-Kent municipality has been a pleasure. We find everybody, from the mayor’s office, economic development, planning and the building departments, to be very proactive and helpful when we come to them for a development,” he sad in a release. “Each of the departments goes above and beyond to help find solutions and move the project along. This proactive approach from a municipality definitely benefits our projects.”
Gauthier said, “The new building will be a high-tech industrial facility comprised of manufacturing and office space. This conventionally constructed building is designed using interior and exterior elements to enhance high-tech aesthetics such as butt glazed curtain wall windows, extra interior glazing for an open and inviting atmosphere and a grand clerestory stairwell with seamless glass and skylights above that will provide an excellent architectural touch.”
Stuart McFadden, acting director of economic development services for Chatham-Kent, said, “The Rosati Group analyzed multiple locations throughout the municipality and we are very pleased to have this development happen in the Bloomfield Business Park. This state-of-the-art facility will allow IATGlobal to meet their current needs and have the ability to grow in the future”, he added. “I would like to thank IATGlobal for their confidence and continued investment in Chatham-Kent”.
As a result of this sale, the Bloomfield Business Park now has 23 acres developed with 73 acres still available.
