Cavalier Tool & Manufacturing Ltd. is unveiling its $9-million expansion.
President Brian Bendig says the 22,000 sq ft addition to its location in south Windsor will allow his company to produce molds at least 20% faster than competitors.
"Most of the car companies want to be first to market. A lot of guys [in the auto industry] are stressed, there's a lot of work out there and many of our competitors simply can't achieve the timelines," explains Bendig. "If you can produce a product 20% or 30% faster than your competitor, you're viewed as the [medicine]."
The president says this expansion is critical, as it allows him to retain 126 employees and hire another 20 to 30.
It also simply provides more space.
"Part of the problem with capacity is we just can't get to [the work]. We've actually turned down a couple million dollars of opportunity here in just a short period of time," adds Bendig. "It's a little bit of 'build it, they will come.' And that happens right now."
In order to build the new addition, the City of Windsor forked over some of its property at the Windsor International Airport.
Cavalier is also taking advantage of Windsor's Community Improvement Plan grant program in order to be able to afford the new structure and equipment.
Cavalier Tool & Manufacturing Ltd. makes molds which can regularly weigh around 85,000 lbs for various industries including auto, medical and aerospace.
Bendig says the auto industry is the hottest right now and he wouldn't be surprised if he's announcing another expansion soon.
Cavalier Tool & Manufacturing Ltd. President Brian Bendig (middle), City of Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens (left) and Brenda Quint with Cavalier Tool, cut the ribbon on its new facility, March 29, 2017. (Photo by Mike Vlasveld)
