ATCO has officially opened an expanded modular manufacturing facility in Grimsby, Ontario, increasing its Canadian production capacity as demand grows for factory-built housing and infrastructure solutions.
The 185,000 sq. ft. facility is 118% larger than ATCO’s original 85,000 sq. ft. operation, which was established in 1979. It currently employs more than 140 people, representing approximately three-quarters of ATCO Structures’ 190-person Ontario workforce. Further employment opportunities are expected as production increases.
The expanded operation will manufacture modular solutions for housing, schools, healthcare facilities, community infrastructure and workforce accommodation, alongside major industrial, energy and defence projects. Supported by ATCO’s five Ontario sales branches, the Grimsby plant is the newest of the company’s five manufacturing facilities in Canada.
Our expanded Grimsby plant strengthens our ability to deliver solutions at a time when governments and industry are seeking faster, more efficient ways to build.
This investment reinforces Canadian manufacturing, creates high-quality jobs and expands our capacity to provide innovative modular solutions to support communities and industries across the country.
Adam Beattie, President of ATCO Structures
Addressing Canada’s housing and infrastructure needs
The expansion comes as Canada faces growing pressure to increase housing supply and accelerate the delivery of critical infrastructure.
Factory-built modular construction offers an alternative to conventional building methods by moving much of the construction process into a controlled manufacturing environment. This can reduce project timelines, improve quality and provide greater predictability, while helping to overcome labour and supply chain constraints.
Canada’s Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, Gregor Robertson, said the expanded facility demonstrated how modular construction could contribute to addressing the country’s housing crisis.
“Today’s grand opening demonstrates how modular construction can deliver more homes, faster and more sustainably, while creating good jobs, boosting productivity, and helping build a stronger economy,” he said.
ATCO Structures has already delivered several significant projects in Ontario, including supportive housing developments in Toronto and Hamilton, a school expansion in North York, facilities supporting Ontario Power Generation’s Pickering refurbishment project, and construction facilities for the Gordie Howe International Bridge.
Strengthening domestic supply chains
The expansion also reflects the growing importance of domestic manufacturing capacity in delivering large-scale infrastructure projects. By using Canadian materials, Ontario labour and local suppliers, ATCO expects the expanded facility to strengthen domestic supply chains while increasing the availability of modular solutions for projects nationwide.
ATCO Structures operates internationally, with manufacturing facilities in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Chile and Australia. Its modular building solutions serve sectors including housing, education, healthcare, mining, energy and defence.
The company is part of ATCO Ltd., a global enterprise with approximately 20,000 employees and assets of C$28bn.
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