Recipient: Jahn Engineering Limited
Region: Windsor-Essex County
“When business with existing customers declines, manufacturers must be willing to explore new industries and develop relationships with potential customers. They must get whatever certifications are required and invest in training, equipment and bricks and mortar to support and service these industries.”
Manufacturing supports more than 825,000 jobs in Ontario and is responsible for roughly 80% of the province's merchandise exports, making it a vital contributor to economic growth and prosperity.
In Windsor-Essex, Jahn Engineering is one example of how manufacturers are responding to changing economic conditions by building on existing strengths, exploring new markets and investing in the future.
The Oldcastle-based company has spent more than six decades serving customers in the automotive and heavy truck sectors. Today, however, it is navigating one of the most significant periods of change in its history.
According to President Louis Jahn, one of the company's greatest advantages has always been its broad range of capabilities.
"Jahn Engineering's been around 65 years, and we've always been pretty broad-based in our product line, which has set us apart from most companies," he says.
The company operates across multiple disciplines, including metal stamping dies, hot stamping dies, automation and robotic assembly systems, inspection fixtures, engineering services, and specialized machining. Having those capabilities under one roof has provided flexibility at a time when many manufacturers have been forced to reconsider how they operate.
Historically, automotive and heavy truck work formed the backbone of Jahn Engineering's business. Over the past year, however, that work has declined dramatically prompting the company to make a choice.
"It was either close up or figure a way to use the same people, the same bricks and mortar, the same equipment, the same technologies, and apply those in a different way," says Jahn.
Leveraging its skilled workforce, engineering expertise and existing infrastructure, Jahn Engineering shifted into the growing nuclear energy sector. Today, approximately half of the company's business is tied to nuclear projects.
Making that transition required more than simply finding new customers. The company obtained N299.3 certification, strengthened its quality systems and invested significant time and resources into meeting the requirements of customers operating in highly regulated industries.
Support from FedDev Ontario helped make that transition possible.
"The funding gave us some support to get the quality certifications, to purchase equipment that is more suited, or to additionally support, the nuclear industry," says Jahn.
Those investments are helping position Jahn Engineering for future growth. While nuclear energy remains the company's primary focus, it is also exploring opportunities in aerospace, defence and mining.
The experience has reinforced the value of adaptability, something Jahn believes will continue to define successful manufacturers.
"I think our strength is that we've always been pretty nimble, and we've always been willing to try new things," concludes Louis Jahn. "We rose to the challenge, and it's worked well for us."
By creating highly skilled, well-paying jobs and continually adapting to new opportunities, manufacturers like Jahn Engineering help strengthen communities, support families and contribute to the province's long-term economic success.