A highly regarded auto tech company is building a new $6-million facility in Chatham and it plans to expand and hire.
I.A.T. Global plans to begin construction of the 47,000 square foot facility immediately at the Bloomfield Business Park, which it says gives it great exposure to Hwy. 401. Stuart McFadden, Acting Director of Economic Development Services for Chatham-Kent, says the firm already employs 39 people locally through N.H. Global Design and they will move into the new site upon completion.
"They think the world of the people that work there now. So, they wanted to make sure they didn't lose that staff. They see opportunity in the area, the land price was very competitive and we were able to get them through the process quickly," says McFadden.
Construction is expected to be complete by the summer.
I.A.T. Global building 47,000 square foot facility. Dec. 08, 2017. (Photo courtesy of municipality of CK)
The firm was founded more than two decades ago, deals in automation and robotics and designs assembly lines.
The Bloomfield Business Park now has 23 acres developed and 73 acres still available.
McFadden says the announcement brings the group’s total investment in the area to $20-million and it hopes to increase that amount and hire more people.
"They have the ability to double it in size. Right now it's 47,000 square feet but they have all kinds of opportunity to expand in the future, which will be more people," McFadden says.
He says the firm employs several skilled trades, such as machinists, assembly personnel, engineers, sales professionals, and administrative staff.
"They can do many things. It's well paying jobs and very highly skilled requirements," says McFadden.