ST. THOMAS, ON — September 17, 2025 — Invest Ontario is supporting Element5’s $107 million expansion to double mass timber production capacity at the company’s St. Thomas facility. The project adds a new, fully automated Glulam production line, strengthens domestic supply of sustainable building materials, and addresses growing demand for affordable, modular housing across Ontario and North America.
The expansion will create 150 new jobs, bringing Element5’s workforce to more than 300 employees. The upgraded plant will increase production of glued‑laminated timber (Glulam) and cross‑laminated timber (CLT) using sustainably sourced lumber from Northern Ontario, reducing reliance on imported materials and bolstering regional forestry supply chains.
“This expansion represents a bold step forward for Element5, our partners and the mass timber industry in Canada,” said Chris Latour, President of Element5. “With our expanded operations, we are better positioned to deliver climate‑friendly, fast‑to‑market construction solutions that help meet urgent housing needs.”
Element5 has delivered nine affordable housing projects across Ontario, including a four‑storey supportive housing building in Kitchener completed within a year, and North America’s first mass timber warehouse in Brampton. Founded in 2015 and supported by a strategic investment from the HASSLACHER Group, Element5 combines integrated design, fabrication, and assembly capabilities to serve residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal clients.
“Element5’s growth will create jobs, strengthen regional economies, and increase the competitiveness of Ontario’s forestry sector,” said the Honourable Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “This project advances our government’s priorities for affordable housing and sustainable industry growth.”
The expansion is supported by a conditional loan of up to $8 million from the Invest Ontario Fund, subject to a definitive agreement. Invest Ontario CEO Khawar Nasim noted the project aligns with the agency’s widened mandate to attract investments that support affordable housing and advanced manufacturing in the province.
Invest Ontario is the province’s investment attraction agency, offering one‑window access and tailored services to global investors. Element5 is a Canadian mass timber manufacturer with offices in Toronto and production operations in St. Thomas. For more information, visit www.investontario.ca and https://www.elementfive.co.
Photo Source: Invest Ontario
