Advanced Manufacturing

Oakville stands out as a Canadian centre for manufacturing knowledge and know-how thanks to our community of trained and experienced workers.

A Canadian leader in advanced manufacturing knowledge and know-how, Oakville has over 9,000 trained and experienced workers in the manufacturing sector. 

Oakville is also home to many outstanding support companies with expertise in engineering, systems design and technical consulting. 

When you choose to set up shop in Oakville, you’ll be manufacturing success.

Home to a dynamic cluster of major manufacturing employers

Advanced manufacturing companies in Oakville form a collection of businesses supporting innovation and growth, consistently setting the standard for others to follow. 

Many of these companies demonstrate world-class leadership in manufacturing processes and product advancement. Some of our key employers include the Ford Motor Company of Canada, Collins Aerospace, Mancor Canada Inc., VAC Developments Ltd., and IPEX.

Advanced manufacturing
Hamilton Harbour

Transportation and logistics


Manufacturing companies in Oakville benefit from our ideal location in the heart of the Greater Toronto Area. Key transportation and logistics benefits include:


  • Access to highways 403, 407 and QEW, linking Oakville to the Greater Toronto Area, southern and eastern Ontario, and the U.S. border.
  • 25 minutes to Pearson International Airport, Canada's largest airport.
  • Intermodal rail access.
  • Two major shipping ports within 40 kilometres
Location

Education and training for advanced manufacturing 

Living and working in Oakville means being surrounded by opportunities for higher education and technical training. There are no limits on employee advancement here. 

Along with Sheridan College, the town is fortunate to have nine accredited universities, as well as seven technical colleges within an hour of downtown. Supporting Oakville’s excellence in advanced manufacturing, Sheridan College offers new degree programs and a broad range of technical training.

Government investment

Both the federal and Ontario governments recognize fierce international competition in the manufacturing sector and have responded with a range of incentives, tax credits and programs designed to help make businesses more competitive. 

Businesses in Oakville may benefit from the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR & ED) program. This program offers substantial investment tax credits on research and development carried out in Canada. 

Other initiatives like the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) can benefit Oakville’s manufacturers by offering a wide variety of services designed to help companies accelerate the growth of their business through innovation and technology. 

Ford plant in Oakville

Ontario mayors work to strengthen auto sector


The Ontario Auto Mayors, including Oakville, work together at the provincial and federal levels to promote awareness, advocacy, and policy initiatives to strengthen the automotive sector in Canada.


Auto Mayors website



Facts and figures

9,468

Oakville workforce in sector*

34,138

Halton Region workforce in sector

320

Number of businesses*

Sources: Environics Analytics, 2023 Estimates; *Statistics Canada, Canadian Business Counts, December 2023 - businesses with employees.

Key employers

Ford Motor Company of Canada
Collins Aerospace
Hospital Logistics Inc.
Mancor Industries Inc.
VAC Developments Ltd.
Coordinate Industries Ltd.
Dana Long Manufacturing Ltd.

Oakville's major sub-sectors

Automotive
Aerospace
Nuclear
Clean tech

Source: Halton Region Employment Survey, 2022.

Manufacturing companies

Number of businesses with one or more employees in the manufacturing industries.
Industry NAICS Code and Description# of Establishments
311 - Food manufacturing32
312 - Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing5
313 - Textile mills4
314 - Textile product mills6
315 - Apparel manufacturing1
316 - Leather and allied product manufacturing3
321 - Wood product manufacturing4
322 - Paper manufacturing3
323 - Printing and related support activities21
325 - Chemical manufacturing11
326 - Plastics and rubber products manufacturing15
327 - Non-metallic mineral product manufacturing13
331 - Primary metal manufacturing3
332 - Fabricated metal product manufacturing46
333 - Machinery manufacturing52
334 - Computer and electronic product manufacturing19
335 - Electrical equipment, appliance and component manufacturing7
336 - Transportation equipment manufacturing18
337 - Furniture and related product manufacturing15
339 - Miscellaneous manufacturing42
TOTAL320

Source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Business Counts, December 2023.

Support industry companies

Number of establishments with one or more employees in support industries to manufacturing.
Industry NAICS Code and Description# of establishments
221 - Utilities6
237 - Heavy and civil engineering construction37
238 - Specialty trade contractors378
484 - Truck transportation190
488 - Support activities for transportation65
5413 - Architectural, engineering and related services210
5415 - Computer systems design and related services912
5416 - Management, scientific and technical consulting services460
8112 - Electronic and precision equipment repair and maintenance12
8113 - Commercial and industrial machinery and equipment (except automotive and electronic) and maintenance19
TOTAL2,289

Source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Business Counts, December 2023.

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