Element5 Expands Mass Timber Production in Ontario

On Wednesday, Invest Ontario announced that it is supporting Element5’s CA$107 million (US$77.7 million) investment to expand its mass timber operations in St. Thomas, Ontario. The project will double the site’s production capacity, increasing domestic supply of sustainable building materials to meet rising demand for affordable, modular housing.

The expansion includes a new facility with a fully automated Glulam production line. The investment will create 150 new jobs, bringing the company’s workforce to more than 300 employees.

Mass timber construction is gaining traction in both housing and nonresidential projects across North America. Element5 has supplied nine affordable housing projects across Ontario, including a four-story supportive housing building in Kitchener that went from design to completion in one year. Its portfolio also includes commercial, industrial, and municipal work, such as North America’s first mass timber warehouse in Brampton.

Element5 President Chris Latour said:

“This expansion represents a bold step forward for Element5, our partners, and the mass timber industry in Canada. We are proud to provide innovative, sustainable building solutions that help address Canada’s urgent need for affordable, climate-friendly housing and infrastructure. With our expanded operations, we are even better positioned to support communities across Ontario and North America.”