Ontario Welcomes $8.4 Million in Manufacturing Investments 

Local manufacturers expanding to create 30 good-paying jobs in Cobourg 

COBOURG, August 30, 2023— The Ontario government is welcoming two new investments totaling $8.4 million by Cobourg manufacturers Beneco Packaging and Custom Plastics International Limited. These investments will increase the production of made-in-Ontario products and create 30 new, good-paying jobs in Cobourg.  

“With over 820,000 workers, manufacturing employment in Ontario is now at its highest level since December 2008,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “We continue to create the right conditions for local manufacturers to grow and create more good-paying jobs in communities across the province. Thank you, Beneco Packaging and Custom Plastics International Limited, for choosing Ontario and contributing to our growing manufacturing sector.”  

Beneco Packaging, a wholesale packaging firm, is investing $7 million to purchase new automated equipment that will expand their product line and increase andspeed up production. The new equipment will help the company meet growing domestic and international demand for a wide range of packaging products. As part of this investment, Beneco Packaging will receive $500,000 in funding through the Regional Development Program’s Eastern Ontario Development Fund. 

“The Eastern Ontario Development Fund is significantly boosting our growth, enabling operational expansion and rapid response to customer demands,” said Carol Jiang, President of Beneco Packaging. “This support is facilitating the integration of cutting-edge technology, enhancing efficiency, while advanced training programs empower our workforce and amplify regional economic vitality.”  

In addition, Custom Plastics International Limited, a family-owned, injection molding company, is investing over $1.4 million to add new production lines and automation to their Cobourg facility. The new lines and automated equipment will increase productivity and efficiencies and help the company expand to new markets. As part of this investment, Custom Plastics will receive $217,050 in funding through the Regional Development Program’s Eastern Ontario Development Fund. 

“Custom Plastics is excited to announce that we are receiving support from the Regional Development Program to embrace automation and enhance efficiency on the factory floor,” said Jim Majury, Vice President and General Manger at Custom Plastics. “This investment will enable us to design flexible automation cells that can be used throughout the plant, promoting efficiency and adaptability. Our investment in collaborative robots is yielding improved throughput and efficiencies while promoting safety and improving job satisfaction for our employees.”  

Ontario is investing $140 million through its Regional Development Program to help companies across the province grow and expand. To date, Ontario has provided over $100 million to support more than 90 projects through the program, leveraging over $1 billion in new investments and helping to create more than 2,100 jobs in the province. Applications for the latest round of the Regional Development Program’s Eastern Ontario Development Fund are open until October 5, 2023.