McGuinty Government Announces $6-Million Investment With AGS Automotive/Tiercon

    Auto Strategy Support Will Boost Innovation, Create 344 Jobs Over Five
    Years

    STONEY CREEK, ON, Aug. 28 /CNW/ - The McGuinty government is investing
$6 million in the development of advanced and fully integrated bumper systems
at AGS Automotive/Tiercon to help the company grow its business and create
high-value jobs in Ontario's auto parts industry, announced Minister of
Economic Development and Trade Sandra Pupatello today.
    "Our support is helping AGS invest in the areas that will define the long
term success of Ontario's auto industry - product innovation, leading edge and
energy efficient technologies, and skills training," said Pupatello. "Ontario
has been North America's top vehicle producing jurisdiction for three years
straight and we're working with the industry to keep it that way."
    The project, supported under the Ontario Automotive Investment Strategy,
carries a combined provincial and company investment of $62 million. AGS
Automotive and Tiercon, members of parent company the J2 Group, will make
investments in their facilities across Ontario. The companies currently have
operations in Oshawa, Toronto, Cambridge, Windsor and Stoney Creek. Features
of the five-year project include:

    -   Research and development of advanced and fully integrated bumper
        systems, including high performance coatings, lightweight materials
        and embedded electronics

    -   Leading edge flexible manufacturing technologies

    -   Alternative energy use and waste reduction

    -   Employee training.

    "Strategic use of public funds has proved invaluable in leveraging
private sector investments and spurring job creation in communities across
Ontario," said Ted McMeekin, MPP for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Aldershot.
"With this investment, AGS and Tiercon can move forward with their growth
plans that will contribute to the local economy and deliver new opportunities
for its employees."
    "This investment, and the growth and diversification of our product
portfolio it will bring, signals the future for our companies," said Joe
Loparco, co-president of both AGS Automotive and Tiercon. "The talents of our
employees, plus investments in research and development and new technologies,
will enable us to provide ever more innovative and industry-leading products
for our customers."
    Today's announcement is just one more example of how, working together,
Ontarians are achieving results for Ontario's manufacturing industry. Other
initiatives include:

    -   A new $650-million Next Generation Jobs Fund that will leverage
        investments in green technologies that help to reduce greenhouse gas
        emissions and improve environmental sustainability

    -   Ontario's strategic auto investments that have leveraged more than
        $7 billion in new investments and anchored thousands of high-value
        jobs

    -   The Advanced Manufacturing Investment Strategy that promotes the use
        of leading edge technologies and processes and has supported a range
        of innovative projects that will generate about $670 million in new
        investment and help create or retain about 4,000 jobs, over five
        years.

    Disponible en français

                            www.ontariocanada.com


    Backgrounder
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                   DRIVING ONTARIO AUTO INDUSTRY INNOVATION

    Ontario's auto industry

    Ontario's auto industry produces cars, light trucks and parts. About
85 per cent of finished vehicles are exported to the United States. Over
90 per cent of Canada's total Canadian auto industry is located in Ontario,
and all Canadian-built cars and light trucks are manufactured in the province.
    Six major vehicle manufacturers operate a total of 12 Ontario assembly
plants. Ontario is also home to two heavy truck manufacturers. These plants
are supplied by more than 400 major automotive parts manufacturers, which
collectively have more than 500 plants in Ontario.
    Ontario's auto parts and assembly industry employs over 130,000 people
and represents about 20 per cent of the province's total manufacturing output.
    Global industry restructuring, combined with increasing competition for
new investment and product mandates, requires ongoing investments in research
and innovation, skills training and leading edge technologies to keep
Ontario's auto sector prosperous.

    Ontario's auto investment strategy

    The McGuinty government's $500-million Ontario Automotive Investment
Strategy was launched in April 2004 to leverage private sector investment in
key areas supporting the industry's competitiveness:

    -   Skills training to keep pace with new technologies and processes

    -   Innovation and research

    -   Improved infrastructure to support new manufacturing techniques

    -   Energy efficiencies and environmental technologies.

    Ontario's strategic auto investments have leveraged more than $7 billion
in new investments and anchored thousands of high-value jobs. Large-scale auto
projects also offer considerable spin off benefits for suppliers, the
construction industry, and local economic development.
    Many of the projects also include linkages with universities and research
institutions to help position Ontario as a centre for the research and
innovation required for the next generation of vehicles.

    Next Generation Jobs Fund

    Building on the success of the Ontario Automotive Investment Strategy, in
June 2007 the Premier announced a new $650-million Next Generation Jobs Fund
that will leverage investments in green technologies that help to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions and improve environmental sustainability.
    The fund will support green technology investments across a range of
sectors including auto, advanced manufacturing, energy production, forestry
and agriculture.

    Projects supported by Ontario's auto strategy

    -   General Motors, Beacon Project - a multi-faceted investment that
        supports the company's vehicle design and manufacturing capabilities
        at plants in Oshawa, St. Catharines and at CAMI in Ingersoll.
        Provincial support of $235 million for a total investment of
        $2.5 billion.

    -   Ford, Oakville - investments to make Oakville the company's first
        flexible manufacturing facility in Canada, plus a new research and
        development centre focusing on fuel cell technology. Provincial
        support of $100 million for a total investment of $1 billion.

    -   Chrysler, Windsor and Brampton - investments in increased
        manufacturing flexibility and an environmentally advanced paint shop
        at the company's Windsor facility and skills training at the Brampton
        plant. Provincial support of $76.8 million for a total investment of
        $768 million.

    -   Toyota, Woodstock - first greenfield vehicle assembly plant to be
        built in Ontario for almost 20 years. Provincial support of
        $70 million for a total investment of $1.1 billion.

    -   Linamar, Guelph - creation of a Technology Centre, plus investments
        in research and development and skills training. Provincial support
        of $44.5 million for a total investment of $1.1 billion.

    -   International Truck and Engine Corporation, Chatham and Windsor -
        skills training for workers at the Chatham truck assembly plant plus
        a new research and development centre in cooperation with the
        University of Windsor. Provincial support of $32 million for a total
        investment of $270 million.

    -   Honda, Alliston - new engine facility plus investments to upgrade
        supporting public infrastructure. Provincial support of $15 million
        for a total investment of $154 million.

    -   Valiant Corporation, Windsor - next generation of robotic vehicle
        assembly systems. Provincial support of $7.1 million for a total
        investment of $93 million.

    -   Nemak, Windsor - investment in an innovative engine block
        manufacturing process. Provincial support of $6 million for a total
        investment of $100 million.

    -   AGS Automotive and Tiercon, Stoney Creek, Oshawa, Toronto, Cambridge
        and Windsor - development of advanced and fully integrated bumper
        systems and expansion of product portfolio. Provincial support of
        $6 million for a total investment of $62 million.

    Disponible en français

                            www.ontariocanada.com

For further information: Valérie Poulin, Minister Pupatello's Office,
(416) 325-6907; Neil Trotter, Communications Branch, (416) 325-6716