Funding Boost to Triple Output at St. Thomas' Mass Timber Maker

Big news for St. Thomas! A local timber manufacturer, Element5, is getting a major boost in production thanks to a $3.5-million investment from the provincial government. This funding will help the company triple its production of mass timber products, which are becoming increasingly popular in the construction industry.

Nolan Quinn, Ontario’s associate minister of forestry, made the announcement at Element5's facility. The funding comes through the forest sector investment and innovation program, an initiative designed to support manufacturers and processors of wood throughout the province.

Element5 manufactures wood panels used in mass timber construction, and they’re at the forefront of innovation in this field. According to Quinn, the demand for cross-laminated timber products is projected to grow by up to 25% per year over the next decade. With this funding, Element5 aims to meet this demand head-on.

The financial injection is set to create 32 new positions at Element5, boost the company’s revenue by over 300%, and increase their export sales by almost 600%. That's what we call a game-changer!

Support for advanced wood construction in Ontario doesn’t stop at funding. Amendments to Ontario’s building code are on the horizon, which will allow for taller wood structures. The province plans to raise the height limit for mass timber buildings from 12 storeys to 18, a move inspired by similar practices in British Columbia and the U.S.

Ontario’s government, led by Doug Ford, is eager to speed up construction and reduce costs, and advanced wood construction like mass timber is seen as a crucial piece of that puzzle. In fact, Paul Calandra, Ontario’s minister of municipal affairs and housing, highlighted that mass timber will be key in reaching the ambitious goal of building 1.5 million homes by 2031.

The investment in Element5 also reflects the broader economic and population growth expected in St. Thomas. With the Volkswagen EV battery plant set to open in 2027 and employ 3,000 workers, the city’s population is projected to nearly double by 2051. St. Thomas Mayor Joe Preston noted that the city has been planning for this growth for the past five years.

Quinn described the funding as a significant opportunity not just for Element5, but for the whole community of St. Thomas and Ontario. With these developments, it’s clear that this small city is gearing up for a big future in sustainable construction.