Ontario Construction News staff writer
Ontario’s mass timber industry is set for a major boost as Element5 announced plans to expand its St. Thomas operations with a $107-million investment, doubling the company’s production capacity and creating 150 jobs.
The company, founded in 2015, produces cross-laminated and glued-laminated timber from Ontario lumber. Its St. Thomas site is one of the first fully automated mass timber plants in North America, supplying components for residential, commercial and institutional projects.
Element5 president Chris Latour said the expansion will help meet growing demand for modular housing and sustainable building products. “We are proud to provide innovative, climate-friendly solutions at a time when Canada faces an urgent need for affordable housing and infrastructure,” he said in a statement.
The province is providing $8 million from the Invest Ontario Fund to support the project. Economic Development Minister Vic Fedeli said the investment strengthens Ontario’s manufacturing supply chains, while Natural Resources Minister Mike Harris pointed to its role in securing “made-in-Ontario” jobs.
The announcement comes as Ontario pushes to expand advanced wood construction capacity. In its 2025 budget, the province pledged $50 million over five years to upgrade production lines and adopt new technologies in the sector. Associate Minister of Forestry and Forest Products Kevin Holland said Element5’s project illustrates how the industry can adapt in the face of trade uncertainty.
The expansion is backed by Austria-based HASSLACHER group, which holds a stake in Element5. CEO Christoph Kulterer said Canada’s access to raw materials and growing market made it an ideal location for investment.
Ontario has committed more than $13 million to date for research and innovation in advanced wood manufacturing. The sector is part of a broader provincial strategy to diversify manufacturing and bolster regional economies, employing about 830,000 people across Ontario.