Windsor Expands Electric Vehicle Supply Chain Footprint

Media Release

Invest WindsorEssex and City of Windsor Announce Lease with Dongshin Motech

Windsor City Council has approved lease terms, and a Letter of Intent (LOI) was executed today between Mayor Drew Dilkens and Dongshin Motech Ltd. CEO Choon Woo Lim that will create local jobs and support the needs of the recently announced $5 billion LG Energy Solutions (LGES)-Stellantis Electric Vehicle (EV) Battery Production Facility.

Dongshin Motech Ltd. (operating in Canada as DS C&K Inc.), is planning to invest $60 million to locate their 170,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Windsor, Ontario. The manufacturing operations will be located on 12 acres of land at the Windsor Airport and employ approximately 300 people when fully operational. Dongshin Motech Ltd. will manufacture highly specialized aluminum casings for the electric vehicle batteries that will be produced at the LGES-Stellantis EV Battery Production Facility. Aluminum casings provide enclosure for the lithium-ion batteries and guarantee lightness and shock resistance, combined with the high thermal conduction needed for the battery temperature management system. 

In April, Mayor Dilkens and Invest WindsorEssex accepted an invitation to visit the European operations of Dongshin Motech Ltd. in Poland and undertook discussions regarding the company's investment in the region. Today’s announcement confirms the city of Windsor’s position as the premier Canadian destination for electric vehicle component manufacturing. By co-locating in Windsor, alongside the LGES-Stellantis EV Battery Production Facility, Invest WindsorEssex is helping create an electric vehicle and battery supply chain cluster.

The City of Windsor has approved a lease on commercial terms with Dongshin Motech Ltd. and intends to offer further support through the Economic Revitalization Community Improvement Plan program. The City of Windsor, as custodian of the Windsor Airport property, is able to service and market these lands for long-term economic development activities. City Council is focused on creating good local jobs and attracting strategic investments that continue to build Windsor’s automotive and automobility manufacturing base. The proposed site, west of Wheelton Drive, is municipally serviced to the lot line, and local utilities have confirmed that more than adequate electricity supply exists to comfortably accommodate energy demand. It is anticipated that ongoing discussions around incentives will continue with provincial and federal governments to support Dongshin Motech Ltd.   

Dongshin Motech Ltd. is a South Korean–based entity, with global manufacturing operations, specializing in automotive components. Founded in 1995, the firm now employs over 600 individuals in South Korea, Poland and India.

Quotes:

“We always knew that a significant supply chain would be necessary to support the massive investment that Stellantis and LGES are making in our community. Dongshin Motech’s investment in our community proves that Windsor is on the move. We’re competing and we are winning the race to attract investment, create great local jobs and build an EV battery manufacturing base.” – Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens

“Today’s announcement is significant and vital to the execution of our overall strategy. Each investment attraction opportunity is an incredibly competitive process. Invest WindsorEssex works with the entire region as well as provincial and federal partners to position this community as the automobility capital of Canada.” – Invest WindsorEssex President and Chief Executive Officer, Stephen MacKenzie

“To supply our local customers, we are pleased that Windsor will be the home of our first North American manufacturing facility. Dongshin Motech has a history of producing highly specialized components to support global automotive clients, and we are pleased to bring our skills and expertise to Canada.” – Dongshin Motech Ltd. Chief Executive Officer, Choon Woo Lim

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