Recipient: APAG Elektronik
Region: Windsor
Total funding allocated: $4 million
APAG Elektronik has deep roots in the automotive market, particularly in Europe. The company is a long-time producer of electronics and ambient lighting components for automotive customers. When the time came to establish its North American headquarters and manufacturing facility, APAG turned its attention to Windsor, Ontario.
With $4 million in support from FedDev Ontario, the Switzerland-based company set up its first North American headquarters in the southwestern Ontario city. The 32,000-square-foot facility incorporates state-of-the-art equipment that is helping the company increase productivity and remain competitive as the demand for its products increase. To meet that increasing demand, the team has grown to over 32 associates, and APAG anticipates creating over 100 jobs in the region.
In addition to helping APAG establish the facility, the funds also leveraged foreign investment of $7.4 million from APAG’s parent company, APAG Holding AG.
Canada’s automotive sector is a powerhouse, with over 500,000 direct and indirect jobs, contributing $18 billion to Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP). This new facility, based strategically at a key trade hub with the U.S. border, will allow the company to take advantage of this strong export market and better support the needs of automotive clients on this side of the Atlantic.
“FedDev Ontario’s support came at a pivotal time in the launch of our North American design and manufacturing location in Windsor,” says Mr. Anand Kanoria, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors and Joint CEO. “The contribution has allowed us to grow to over 32 associates, five production programs with three international customers, two new design programs and several customer visits all within the first eight months of our grand opening in April 2019. The FedDev Ontario support is greatly appreciated.”
As the company scales up, it has also created employment opportunities for people from Windsor as well as other areas of Ontario, including through recruitment of engineering students from the University of Windsor. APAG has been fortunate to expand the hardware and software development teams as well as the supply chain team.
“We are very excited to have APAG invest in Canada, bringing its quality manufacturing capabilities to Canada, and contributing to our economy with new jobs and opportunities for Canadians,” says Sandeep Gupta, General Manager of Future Electronics and one of APAG’s suppliers. “Future Electronics and APAG have enjoyed a strong business relationship in both Switzerland and the Czech Republic since 2006, and we are honoured to expand this world-class relationship in Canada.”
APAG is now equipped to work with and provide tailored products to companies like GM, BMW and Ford, directly from its facility in Windsor.
In addition to automotive electronics, they can also provide electronic manufacturing services to other industries such as industrial, telecommunications and medical. APAG Canada is open for business and the team looks forward to sharing their capabilities with other companies in Ontario, Canada and the U.S.
As the company looks to its future in North America, it plans to expand on its solid footing, creating more opportunities to support the local economy utilizing its state-of-the-art facility, equipment and talent. APAG anticipates benefitting the local supply chain as they source materials from southern Ontario companies.
FedDev Ontario's support came at a pivotal time in the launch of our North American design and manufacturing location in Windsor.Anand Kanoria, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors and Joint CEO
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