Empack Spraytech’s new disinfectant wipe production facility in Barrie is getting more than $1.2 million in support through the Ontario Together Fund to assist with the already 35 skilled trades jobs created.
The Ontario government is supporting a nearly $10-million investment by Empack Spraytech Inc., which is expanding its capacity through its newly built facility by producing disinfectant wipes under the Zytec Germ Buster brand.
Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli says the company isn't new to the cleaning industry, but with COVID-19 still happening all around us, it's more needed than ever.
“Empack was already making these cleaning products and now this will just add a new line of disinfectant wipes to their list,” Fedeli told BarrieToday. “The truth is people have long used disinfectant products and coming out of this pandemic, maybe even more so as we all take extra time to clean. There is a great opportunity here.”
The investment will support the company's new 100,000-square-foot facility located on Reid Drive in the city's south end, of which 25,000 sq. ft. will have the capacity to produce more than four million wipes per day in order to meet continued and growing demand for disinfectant wipes since the onset of the pandemic.
Empack will manufacture a range of Health Canada-approved disinfectant wipes using various active ingredients including citric acid, benzalkonium chloride, and combinations of quaternary ammonium compounds, all of which have been tested to prove efficacy against COVID.
The manufacturer is also developing new products using hydrogen peroxide at the new facility to further expand the markets served. The project will also carry out modifications at the project facility as well as purchase and install a fully automated production line.
Fedeli said he was glad to see the work being done in Barrie and said he has heard lots of good things coming from the city’s manufacturing industry.
“I have been to Barrie for many announcements and I have to say, I am very impressed with the manufacturers in the city, and the surrounding area for that matter,” he said. “Particularly those who are making the machines for other companies to use. I go to other parts of the province and see fantastic equipment being used to make something, the staff will tell me how that machine was built in Barrie. It's a great accomplishment.”
Ontario has invested an additional $50 million in the renewed Ontario Together Fund in 2021-22. The fund will continue to support local innovators and businesses to further enhance Ontario’s domestic supply chain capacity, promote Ontario’s medical technology sector and build up the manufacturing sector to ensure the province is well-prepared for future challenges.
Empack Spraytech is a privately owned, family-operated Canadian manufacturer of personal care, over-the-counter drugs, automotive, industrial and other household products in aerosol, liquid, gel, wipes and other formats.
