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Conveniently located between Canada’s capital, Ottawa, and Canada’s business centre, Toronto.

Advanced Manufacturing

Peterborough & the Kawarthas has strength in manufacturing which has increased in employment share.

Similar to other communities in Ontario, the face of Advanced Manufacturing is changing with many smaller, innovation-based companies emerging in communities throughout the region. With this change in manufacturing, Peterborough & the Kawarthas is seeing greater cross-over in agriculture and cleantech. It is an exciting time for manufacturers in this region, as innovation, creativity, and technological advancements set the stage for future growth and opportunity.

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Eleni Gagovski

Eleni Gagovski

Economic Development Officer

Cell: 705-875-2916

Email Eleni
Download Advanced Manufacturing Sector Profile
People huddle together in a manufacturing space
$634M
In 2021, Peterborough’s GDP within the advanced manufacturing sector totalled $634 Million, or 11% of Peterborough’s total GDP. (based on 2012 dollars.)
Source: metroeconomics
4,967
Number of jobs within Peterborough’s advanced manufacturing section in 2021.
Source: EMSI Analyst
$56,506
Average wages per job within the advanced manufacturing sector in 2020 – 10% below the national average.
Source: EMSI Analyst
$1.2B
Spending by Peterborough’s manufacturers on supplies and services in 2017. Over 1/3 of the sector’s supply chain purchases are sourced in-region in 2017.
Source: EMSI Analyst
11% Growth
Peterborough’s advanced manufacturing sector is forecasted to grow 11%, or $76 million from 2021 – 2026
Source: Statistics Canada, Trade in Goods by Exporter and Importer Characteristics: Interactive Tool
Kawartha Manufacturers Association logo

Meet the Kawartha Manufacturers’ Association (KMA)

KMA’s objective is to grow the regional economy through World Class Manufacturing and the development of a diverse, highly skilled workforce.

  • Creation and promotion of development, training and funding opportunities.
  • Provide networking and best practice sharing opportunities in the Kawarthas region and in Eastern Ontario (Tri-Association initiatives).
  • Raise and promote manufacturing issues with all levels of Government.
  • Promote strategic partnerships with industry, government, education Institutions and community stakeholders.

KMA’s mission is to increase the competitiveness and competencies of manufacturers in the Kawarthas by:

  • Providing a forum for sharing information, ideas and resources.
  • Promoting continuous improvement through education in contemporary management and manufacturing practices.
  • Improving the appreciation of manufacturing and its contribution to the regional quality of life.
  • Improving links between education, other manufacturers and government.

Advanced Manufacturing in Canada

More about Advanced Manufacturing in Canada

Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) provide preferential access and market opportunities in Europe, Asia and North America. 1

$540B
Significant Advanced Manufacturing Sector: Expected to have $540 billion in exports and $1 trillion in sales through the application of machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), and internet of things.
Source: investcanada.ca
$174B
A cornerstone of Canada’s economy, accounting for $174 billion or 10% of GDP.
Source: investcanada.ca
$354B
Manufacturers export more than $354 billion each year, representing 68% of Canada’s merchandise exports and 1.7 million full-time jobs.
Source: investcanada.ca

Advanced Manufacturing in Ontario

$526.27M
Total exports from Peterborough CMA’s Manufacturing sector in 2020 totalled $526.27M while imports totalled $569.64M. 
Source
$270B
Ontario’s manufacturing industry generates $270 billion in annual sales and accounts for 18% of the province’s GDP, employing over 12% of Ontario’s total workforce.
Source

Education

Peterborough possesses a skilled workforce with over 54% of the population possessing a post-secondary certificate, diploma, or degree. [1] 

There are 10,240 people (8.06% of the population) aged 15 years and over in Peterborough with an Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma.

33,132 people or over ¼ of Peterborough’s population (26.08% of the population) possess a College, CEGEP, or other non-university certificate or diploma.

Fleming College

The School of Trades and Technology offers 7 diplomas and 11 apprenticeship programs and a range of graduate certificates aligned with the advanced manufacturing sector.

Home to the Centre for Advancement in Mechatronics and Industrial Internet of Things (CAMIIT), a multipurpose research centre for both industrial and academic research projects. CAMIIT will be expanding local capacity in applied research activities in design, development, prototyping, and improvement of products and technologies for use in the advanced manufacturing marketplace.

Kawartha Trades & Technology Centre Fuelling Regional Talent

Fleming College runs an 87,000 sq. ft. world-class trades and technology skills training facility in Peterborough. The facility consistently supplies local businesses with top-quality talent through its full-and part-time trades programs, apprenticeship programs, dual-credit high school courses, and contract training. In 2017, KTTC was one of 10 winners of the American Institute of Architects, Education Facility Design Award, which recognizes cutting-edge designs that enhance student learning. The flexible, multi-disciplinary design of the learning spaces allows for better integration of the trades, similar to a real-world worksite. It ensures students are prepared for the real world. [1]

Labour

Manufacturing has been a sector of strength in this region for more than a century. There are just over 300 Manufacturing businesses in the region.

As of 2021, Manufacturing was Peterborough’s 5th largest sector by labour force.

Post-secondary Institutions

Fleming College accounted for 69% of graduates or 3,746 people.

Trent University accounted for 31% of graduates or 1,662 people.

Business Environment

Peterborough’s Advanced Manufacturing Sector supplies to the Aerospace, Nuclear, Clean Tech Water, power generation, Automobile, Food & Beverages, and Instrumentation/Automation industries

Companies in this sector’s supply chain manufacture machinery & equipment, metal & plastic products, and machined components.

From Peterborough, Ontario, Multinational and Canadian companies deliver products and services to around the globe, including South America, Europe and Asia.

In Good Company

Latest News in Advanced Manufacturing

Advanced Manufacturing Resources & Support Organizations