Canadian roofing, waterproofing and insulation manufacturer IKO has officially broken ground on a new extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation manufacturing facility in Brantford, Ontario, representing an investment of more than $45 million (€41.4 million). The development marks a significant expansion of IKO's North American manufacturing footprint and its first dedicated XPS production facility.

As reported by GlobeNewswire via The Manila Times, the new 67,000 sq ft facility will become operational in due course and is expected to employ approximately 40 people in the Brantford area, serving customers across Canada and the northeastern United States.

IKO currently operates polyISO insulation manufacturing facilities in Ontario, Alberta and Maryland. The Brantford plant extends that network into XPS, a distinct insulation format used extensively in residential and commercial construction applications.

The groundbreaking was attended by David Koschitzky, CEO of IKO North America; Henry Koschitzky; Guy Tremblay, vice president of operations at IKO North America; Yekutiel Koschitzky, XPS general manager and product innovation manager at IKO North America; Christopher Brown, regional manufacturing director at IKO North America; Mayor Kevin Davis of the City of Brantford; and MP Larry Brock.

Yekutiel Koschitzky said: "As a company founded in Canada, it is especially meaningful for us to continue investing in Canadian manufacturing and communities. This new facility reflects IKO's long-term vision for growth, innovation and operational strength across North America. Brantford is an ideal location for this investment due to its strong manufacturing workforce, strategic access to key transportation routes and proximity to important customer markets. We are proud to contribute to the region's economic development while creating high-quality manufacturing jobs."

The Brantford facility forms part of a broader programme of strategic investment across North America. IKO recently opened a fibreglass manufacturing facility and glass mat plant in Chester County, South Carolina, and expects to open a further plant in Clay Hill, Florida in the coming weeks.

IKO operates more than 35 manufacturing plants across North America and Europe and was established in Canada in 1951 as a family-owned business.

Explore the full details of IKO's Brantford groundbreaking and North American expansion plans.