Durham Region has long been a centre of manufacturing excellence in Canada, with particular strengths in the automotive, aerospace and automation sectors. Durham's manufacturers have moved to the adoption of increasingly sophisticated methods, technologies and structures for developing and delivering their products to market.
As one of Durham's largest employers, the growth of manufacturing continues to be concentrated around:
- Textile/fabric finishing and coating
- Converted paper products
- Pharmaceutical and medicine
- Paint, coating and adhesive
- Rubber products
- Glass and glass products
- Cement and concrete products
- Forging and stamping
- Aerospace
- Motor vehicles and parts
Manufacturing systems have progressed with support of a highly skilled workforce, and local innovation in advanced materials, engineered assembly systems, automated logistics and material handling systems.
The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) offers one of the most robust supply chains in the world, where hundreds of parts suppliers and tech start-ups converge. Advanced infrastructure and market access, the availability of a high-quality workforce, and a dynamic research and development environment are major characteristics that attract and support companies in the advanced manufacturing sector.
The recently-announced Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster has the aim to build up nextension-generation manufacturing capabilities, incorporating technologies like advanced robotics and 3D printing, by focusing on training and technology adoption.
Companies can also benefit through federal and provincial incentives.
