Local chemical manufacturer, community projects receive million-dollar investments

Helena Jaczek, centre, Minister of Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, is joined by MP Irek Kusmierczyk, right, and from left, Councilor Kieran McKenzie, MP Brian Masse, and Andrew Conway, vice-president of Dimachem Inc., as she makes a funding announcement at Dimachem Inc., on Thursday, April 21, 2022. Photo by Dax Melmer /Windsor Star

When Windsor-based chemical manufacturer Dimachem Inc. received a $1 million investment from FedDev Ontario to help expand the business, the company planned on creating 14 new jobs.

But to date, Dimachem has hired 27 new people and vastly expand its manufacturing capabilities for a contract with Clorox Canada making and packaging Pine-Sol in Windsor.

“To say that the Government of Canada’s investment or loan to us as well as the Government of Ontario’s assistance was invaluable, that would be an understatement,” said vice-president Andrew Conway.

Helena Jaczek, the minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, was in Windsor Thursday touting the announcement that supported Dimachem’s expansion in producing about 10 million bottles of Pine-Sol annually.

There’s so much momentum in Windsor Essex right now

Jaczek also announced $2 million in funding for area community projects in an appearance at the John R. Park Homestead Thursday afternoon.

“It’s vital that manufacturers across the country have the tools or support they need to scale up, create new jobs and seize opportunities to produce products made in Canada that grow our economy,” Jaczek said.

The Ontario government announced about $850,000 in investments for the project last year.

Andrew Conway, vice-president of Dimachem Inc., speaks during a press event after Minister Helena Jaczek made a funding announcement at the manufacturing plant, on Thursday, April 21, 2022. Photo by Dax Melmer /Windsor Star

This is just the latest investment coming Windsor’s way, said MP Irek Kusmierczyk (Liberal – Windsor-Tecumseh), noting the recent $5-billion announcement from Stellantis and LG Energy Solutions of a battery plant coming to Windsor-Essex.

“There’s so much momentum in Windsor Essex right now,” Kusmierczyk said. “In one year, you’ve seen a company that was expected to have 14 new jobs. Thanks to this partnership with the federal government they’ve already doubled because of the demand.

“We’re entering a period that’s that’s gonna be the brightest that we’ve seen in this community in a long, long time.”

Dimachem, an employee-owned company celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, supplies chemicals for the automotive, hospitality and agriculture industries. The company also partnered with Hiram Walker to produce hand sanitizer during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this expanded contract with Clorox, Conway said they purchased a host of new equipment, including machines to make and cap bottles on-site. Increasing production included a 20,000 square foot expansion of Dimachem’s facilities, a government press release noted.

Bottles of Pine-Sol are seen during manufacturing while a funding announcement made my Helena Jaczek, Minister of Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, on Thursday, April 21, 2022. Photo by Dax Melmer /Windsor Star

Currently producing about six truckloads of Pine-Sol per day, Conway said they expect that to soon grow to ten truckloads per day with the addition of a third shift.

Later Thursday afternoon, Jaczek announced $2 million in funding for nine community projects across Windsor and Essex County, funded through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund.

The Essex Region Conservation Authority will receive $940,000 for three projects, including adding an elevator at the John R. Park Homestead. The City of Windsor, Downtown Windsor BIA, Nature Conservancy of Canada and Canadian Transportation Museum and Heritage Village also received project money.

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