‘Ramping up production’: Province invests $850,000 in Oakville manufacturer to help fight coronavirus
The Ontario government is providing $850,000 to an Oakville manufacturer to help that company increase production of disinfectants needed to fight the spread of the coronavirus.
Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, recently announced that Virox Technologies Inc., would be the first company to receive an investment from the Ontario Together Fund.
The money will allow Virox to double its production of disinfectants and create more jobs.
“We are looking for the best and brightest in the province to step up and provide critical goods and services in our effort to stop the spread of COVID-19,” said Fedeli, in a press release.
“I am pleased to see an innovative disinfectant company like Virox Technologies come forward and use its made-in Ontario advanced technology to help keep our front-line workers and communities safe.”
In a speech at Queen’s Park, Ontario Premier Doug Ford noted Virox had created a disinfectant, which kills coronavirus within 30 seconds on any surface.
Virox President and CEO Randy Pilon said his company is planning to install a high-speed manufacturing assembly line to increase production of its Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide products.
He estimates the new equipment will allow the company to produce 6,000 cases per day, which will help meet increased demand from the health-care sector and general consumer market during the outbreak.
The project will also create 20 full-time and part-time jobs and help retain 120 positions in Oakville.
“We are pleased to respond to the government’s call to action to help stop the spread of this outbreak,” said Pilon in a news release.
“We pride ourselves on offering sustainable hydrogen-peroxide based disinfecting solutions and making products that are safe for people, animals and the planet. By ramping up our production with new equipment and upgrades, we will help meet the growing need in hospitals, and communities across Ontario and Canada.”
On March 21, Ford launched the Ontario Together web portal appealing to Ontario’s manufacturers, entrepreneurs and innovators to provide essential supplies and equipment to support front-line workers in their fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
To support the development of proposals submitted by businesses and individuals through the Ontario Together web portal and help businesses retool their operations, the government launched a $50 million Ontario Together Fund.
Officials said all submissions received through the portal are being reviewed and prioritized to focus on solutions that can respond to where the need is greatest and can be implemented quickly.
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