Plastics and Rubber Products

Market – Key Facts

In 2002, more than 75% of the products manufactured by Ontario's plastics industry were used in packaging (as a substitute forglassand other materials); construction (as an alternative to wood); and transportation (as an alternative to steel and other metals). Another 5% of the industry's shipments went to the telecommunications and electronics industries, which are becoming the fastest growing markets for plastics.

Ontario and Canada are the lowest cost jurisdictions of all the G-7 nation countries, offering the lowest costs across a variety of growth sectors including plastics. Costs in Canada are 14.5 % below the US average.

Ontario is the hub of Canada's plastics industry, accounting for:

• 63% of shipments of plastic products
• 61% of raw material and machinery shipments
• 85% of mould makers
• 60% of employment in the Canadian plastics industry
• 60% of firms

Source: Ontario Investment Service (www.2ontario.com), April 2005

Brantford·Brant's Advantages:

• Over 1700 people are employed in the plastics industry in Brantford·Brant within 28 businesses
• Strong local labour force growth
• Ready access to larger labour market
• Competitive wage levels
• Local market presence includes ITML Horticultural Products Inc., Brant Corrosion Control Inc., Atlas Hydraulics, Meridian Automotive Systems Inc., and Koolatron.
• Low land and construction costs when compared to other Southern Ontario locations
• Presence of post secondary educational institutions in Brantford, Hamilton and Kitchener- Waterloo
• Proximity to Ontario's automotive industry manufacturers
• Proximity to Ontario and Northern US customer market and suppliers
• Within 2 ½ hours drive of all Canadian distribution assembly plants in Canada

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