Nearly 40 people, including several representatives from the County of Brant, came together to celebrate the grand opening of the Numesh Cainsville facility on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.
Founded in 1975 in Laval, Quebec, Numesh has since become the largest Canadian manufacturer of welded steel wire and wire mesh used for concrete reinforcement.
The company produces various materials such as pipe and manhole mesh, engineered welded wire, construction mesh, coils for cage-welding machines, straight and cut wire, and mining mesh.
In an effort to boost production and meet increasing demands across the country, the company began looking at expanding into Ontario in the spring of 2022, and soon landed its sights on the County of Brant.
The company has now invested $39.9 million to open its second location at the corner of County Road 18 and Colborne Street East, previously home to diaper manufacturer, Dafoe and Dafoe. The 60,000 sq. ft. warehouse has now been equipped with cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art equipment.
“We were very fortunate to have landed in this building in Brant County …With the opportunity that the County has given us, we don’t take it for granted and we’re going to do our part,” said Christopher Dekker, Plant Manager. “We’re going to continue to bring employment to the area and we’re going to continue to support economic growth. But maybe most importantly, we’re going to do it right; we’re going to be a benchmark for good culture and we’re going to make sure that we put teamwork first.”
David Bailey, Mayor for the County of Brant, said that he was grateful that Numesh chose to invest in the community.
“This commitment to Brant not only creates job opportunities for skilled workers, but also brings a positive impact to our local economy,” he said. “Your presence here is a testament to the vibrant spirit and growth potential of the County of Brant.”
Numesh currently employs around 50 people at its County location and is working towards adding on another ten in the next several months. Dekker said their shift style was just one of the things that put them in a position to be a top employer with low turnover rates.
“I think something that really helps us retain and attract employees here is our shift style,” he said. “There are four crews and they all work three days a week for 12-hour shifts, and then they take four days off and it always stays the same. I think this really helps with reliability, scheduling and understanding what your shift is.”
During the ceremony, Mathieu Séguin, President of Numesh, said that the new plant is a testament to its vision, innovation and commitment to the construction industry.
“I stand before you surrounded by the fruits of our collective labour and dedication. …It represents the culmination of months, even years, of meticulous planning, hard work and determination,” said Séguin. “Let us not forget that this achievement is the result of collaboration, teamwork, and deeply valuable contribution of each and every member of our relationship; from the engineers who designed every intricate detail to the technician who meticulously assembled all the equipment and the administrative staff who made sure everybody was paid and that everything ran smoothly. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the community. We recognize that our presence here is not just about business, it’s about being responsible corporate citizens. So, to our neighbours, local leaders and community partners, I extend my sincere appreciation for the warm welcome and ongoing partnership.”
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
