SIS Manufacturing gets more than $500,000 from province for new machine (3 photos)

The provincial government has set up SIS Manufacturing Corp. with $528,394 in Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation funding to allow for the purchase of a CNC machine. 

Sault Ste. Marie MPP Ross Romano — who watched a demonstration of the CNC machine working on a wind turbine base plate for Hydro Quebec during Friday’s announcement — says the provincial funding will allow the Sault-based industrial manufacturer to expand its production of steel products for a larger group of clients going forward. 

The CNC machine was originally acquired by SIS about a year ago.  

“The product that was just made in front of us is going to Hydro Quebec,” Romano told reporters following the announcement. “They’re doing work in the United States, and certainly able to compete on an international stage.”

A total of 12 full-time jobs, ranging from machinists, fabricators and labourers, have also been created within the past year. 

“With this machinery, SIS is now able to satisfy a larger group of clients - in fact, we learned today that they are even now capable of entering into a new marketplace, and they’re going to be doing work with GE - General Electric,” Romano said. 

SIS owner and president Tony Porco told reporters that the machine will expand its line of steel products for the locomotive industry to include front and back plates for trains, in an effort to build on the more than 2,000 locomotive frames the business has constructed to date.

The original press release follows: 

NEWS RELEASE
MINSTRY OF ENERGY, NORTHERN DEVELOPMENT AND MINES
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Ontario’s government is supporting industrial steel beam manufacturing in Sault Ste. Marie with an investment in SIS Manufacturing Corp., creating 12 new jobs.

Today, Ross Romano, MPP for Sault Ste. Marie, announced an investment of $528,394 on
behalf of Greg Rickford, Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines.

With this funding, SIS Manufacturing Corp. will expand its production of steel products for the locomotive industry by purchasing a CNC machine – a high-precision, computer-controlled machine that can be programed to help tools make fast, precise movements that reduce production time and improve efficiency.

“Industrial manufacturing is a vital economic contributor in communities like Sault Ste.Marie. This investment will help create good jobs and strengthen SIS Manufacturing’s reputation as a producer of high-quality steel beams,” said MPP Romano. “This is just one
more way we are signalling to the world that Northern Ontario is open for business and open for jobs.”

“We want to thank MPP Romano, Minister Rickford, and the Ontario government for its continued support and investment into Northern Ontario businesses. Through investments made by the NOHFC, SIS Manufacturing Corp and other businesses across the North are
able to grow and continue to contribute to the economic wellbeing of the province,” said Tony Porco, Owner and President of SIS Manufacturing Corp.

Quick Facts
▪ Since June 2018, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation has invested
more than $120 million in 916 projects, creating or retaining over 2,600 jobs.

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