Innovative Automation Has a Banner Month

November 17, 2017

Last week, Innovative Automation, the enterprise Stephen Loftus co-founded in 1989 broke ground in preparation for a new 62,500-square-foot facility on Welham Road in Barrie, Ontario. When the state-of-the-art plant is operational in late 2017, it will consolidate Innovative Automation’s two current facilities on Saunders Road.

A day after the benchmark occasion, the company was named large business of the year at the 2016 Barrie Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.

The 58-year old Loftus, born and raised locally, proudly acknowledged the dual achievements, humbly casting the limelight on his associates and the company’s 105 staff members.

“When I look back, I believe our achievement is due to partners who had diverse backgrounds,” he said. “We weren’t intimidated by long days to ensure success.”

In addition to acclaim for partners Matt Setterington and Mike Lalonde, Loftus praised “extremely skilled staff,” the majority of whom are local residents he views more as family than employees.

The expansion is part of the firm’s strategic five-year plan necessitated to meet demand and compete in a burgeoning global marketplace, Loftus said. The new Welham facility gives the company stability going forward, bolstered by the fact 25 per cent of staff are 25 and younger.

“This cements a future for those people for the next 20 to 30 years at this location,” he said.

Within a year Loftus expects to complement his workforce with an additional 30 new high tech engineering and highly skilled tradespeople. The move also accommodates a planned research and development centre.

Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman deemed the expansion and new jobs a “renaissance of manufacturing” for the city, adding Innovative Automation is one of “Barrie’s really great success stories.”

Image and story source:

https://www.simcoe.com/news-story/6968075-barrie-s-innovative-automation-celebrates-banner-week/