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The government of Canada's Ontario province is investing $1 million from the Ontario Together Fund to help Merit Precision manufacture bottles for hand sanitizers and disinfectants, according to a press release. This expansion will create 10 new local jobs and retain 75 positions, while producing the vital products to support the fight against COVID-19.

"It's great to see how Ontario's manufacturing sector continues to step up and respond with made-in-Ontario solutions in our fight against COVID-19 and create jobs at the same time," said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. "Companies like Merit Precision are advancing our local supply chains of critical products and bringing their products to market quickly and safely so we can continue to fight the pandemic today and lay the foundation for Ontario's recovery."

With Ontario's support, Merit Precision is investing in two blow moulding lines, tooling and the necessary infrastructure to manufacture bottles. This investment will enable the company to provide locally produced bottles for hand sanitizers and disinfectants manufactured in Ontario by Peterborough, Canada-based Charlotte Products. Currently, Charlotte Products is facing the challenge of not having enough bottles to meet the growing demand for its cleaning products.

Merit Precision, an injection moulding company that primarily manufactures parts and components for the auto sector, is investing $1.3 million in this project, which includes purchasing molding, automation and bottle-making equipment.

"This investment demonstrates our government's commitment to a vibrant manufacturing sector in the Province of Ontario, including here in Peterborough-Kawartha", said Dave Smith, Member of Provincial Parliament for Peterborough-Kawartha. "It is amazing to see the incredible working partnership between Charlotte Products and Merit Precision Molding, which has led to the creation of more jobs in our community. Like many municipalities across the province, we are struggling during the pandemic and these types of innovative partnerships are critical to support our local economy."

Through the Ontario Together Fund, the province's government is delivering targeted investments that will increase the province's stockpile of made-in-Ontario products and personal protective equipment. This new manufacturing and research capacity will help the province combat the current COVID-19 outbreak and prepare for potential challenges in the future, while supporting local businesses.