Winchester’s HJV Equipment has completed a $6.5-million expansion of its manufacturing operations in Winchester. The investment, including $500,000 from the province as part of the Eastern Ontario Development Fund. The investment will create five new jobs which securing 71 current positions. From left: David Vander Zaag, president of HJV Equipment, Nolan Quinn, MPP Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry, Steve Gibson HJV, Tony Fraser, Mayor, Township of North Dundas. Courtesy Photo

WINCHESTER – HJV Equipment has completed a $6.5-million expansion of its manufacturing operations in Winchester, a project expected to create five new jobs while securing employment for 71 existing workers.

The agricultural equipment manufacturer has invested $6,500,761 in a new 28,000-square-foot production facility equipped with modern manufacturing technology to expand its capacity to design and build specialized equipment for vegetable growers and processors.

The project received $500,000 in provincial funding through the Eastern Ontario Development Fund, part of Ontario’s Regional Development Program.

The new facility will manufacture proprietary post-harvest processing equipment, including advanced vegetable polishers, automated coil sizing tables and wash-line systems featuring self-contained water reclamation technology. The equipment is designed to sort, wash and dry root vegetables, including potatoes, for commercial producers.

David Vander Zaag, president of HJV Equipment, said the expansion will allow the company to continue growing its manufacturing operations in Eastern Ontario.

“We at HJV are excited to open this new facility in Eastern Ontario,” said Vander Zaag.  “Our HJV Engineering manufacturing business has grown significantly over the years building state-of-the-art stainless steel vegetable wash-line and processing equipment, and this additional capacity will help us continue to grow and scale. We are grateful for the support through this Ontario program in making this possible.”

The investment was announced Friday by Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry MPP Nolan Quinn, who said the project strengthens both the local economy and the region’s agricultural sector.

“SDG is an incredible place to run a strong, successful business,” said MPP Quinn. “Through these investments from HJV Equipment and our government, we are creating better-paying jobs for our workers, strengthening Eastern Ontario’s vital agriculture sector, and driving a prosperous local economy.”

Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli in a statement said supporting manufacturers remains a priority for the province.

“Employing more than 800,000 workers across the province, Ontario’s manufacturing sector is the economic engine of our nation,” said Fedeli. “Our government is proud to support local companies like HJV Equipment as they expand their operations, and we thank them for their contributions to Ontario’s dynamic and growing manufacturing ecosystem.”

The Regional Development Program provides financial assistance to businesses and municipalities in eastern and southwestern Ontario undertaking projects that encourage investment, innovation and job creation.

According to the province, more than 215 projects have been supported through the program since its launch in 2019, leveraging more than $2.8 billion in private-sector investment and helping create more than 5,900 jobs.

Applications for the next intake of the Eastern Ontario Development Fund will be accepted between June 30 and Sept. 23.