More local employment is on the way as CleanFix North America expands in Stratford.
The expansion was announced in a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday at the Wright Boulevard facility.
Cleanfix CEO Benjamin Haegele said they want to build a facility that’s 10,000 square feet and will add to the existing facility.
“If things grow as we hope they grow, we’ll build another expansion and also expand swinging a shovel, and the offices because we need more engineers, sales people and our cafeteria,” said Haegele.
Along with the business outlook, Haegele said another reason behind the expansion is to invest in South America, either in Brazil or Argentina.
He hopes this can lead to the supplying/building CleanFix South America from the Stratford team.
CleanFix is a company that builds reversible cooling fan technology used for tractors, harvesters, combine harvesters, sprayers, excavators, wheel loaders, bulldozers, skid steer loaders, and other industrial equipment.
This change would bump the number of workers from 30 to 60 people, along with hiring an extra 20 people for production, 20 more sales people and engineers, and a little more for administration.
Guests included Mayor Martin Ritsma, Perth-Wellington MPP and MP Matthew Rae and John Nater, and Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Canada, Matthias Lüttenberg.
Mayor Ritsma said this change brings a positive impact on two levels.
“It reinforces what we’re doing in regards to our relationship with post-secondary institutions like Conestoga and Fanshawe colleges, and our relationship with our secondary school program that promotes young women and men going into the trades,” said Ritsma.
“This investment tells us that we’re on the right path with regards to those developing of skilled trades.”
CleanFix hopes to start digging by the end of this year, and to have the box ready by the end of 2026.
