This summer despite the broader challenges being faced by economies all over the world, York Region has seen multiple significant business investments in a variety of industries, creating more employment opportunities for the Region and the wider Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
These new investments and expansions are a result of a variety factors, but York Region’s centrality in the GTA and its wealth of highly skilled talent are a common thread throughout these investment and expansion announcements.
York Region is well positioned in the GTA with:
- A highly educated workforce with over 70% of the population having post-secondary education and the highest concentration of residents in tech occupations in the Toronto-Waterloo Corridor
- Access to critical business and supply chain infrastructure including major highways, Canada’s largest international airport, dark fibre, and broadband connectivity
- Lower operational and real estate costs with options to choose between urban, industrial, or agricultural areas depending on your company’s needs
- Transit options for talent connecting them to the entire GTA including the subway, rapid bus transit, GO transit, and more
York Region’s strengths in these areas are attractive to companies looking to expand into the GTA.
These five recent business investments are further examples of why businesses continue to locate in York Region, where talent and opportunity intersect.
Piramal Expansion is Beginning of New Chapter for Healthcare Company in Aurora
Pharmaceutical manufacturing company, Piramal Pharma Solutions, has expanded with the opening of its third plant in Aurora with plans to grow from 180 to 250 employees. The new plant will allow them to manage larger orders and accept an increase in larger customers.
Syntronic Opens Greater Toronto Area Design Center located in Markham, Ontario
Swedish tech engineering solutions firm, Syntronic has opened a new design house in Markham. A big pull for the company and the location selection of its new design house according to Syntronic President, Hans Molin, “…was obvious. The [GTA] region has some of Canada’s most exceptional talent backed by a strong university system.” Within the next 12 months Syntronic expects to ramp up its Markham design center to more than 100 employees.
East Gwillimbury Welcomes Largest Employment Development in Town’s History
Loblaw Companies Limited and Choice Properties REIT’s incoming advanced logistics and distribution centre is expected to bring 1,000 jobs and $7 million in development charges revenue for roads, community centres, parks, trails, and more to East Gwillimbury. The 1.2 million square foot logistics and distribution centre in northern York Region is the town’s largest employment development project and will bring more opportunities for residents to work and thrive.
Astera Labs Opens New R&D Design Center to Accelerate Product Development in Markham
Another tech investment in late May was the opening of Astera Labs’ new R&D Center in Markham. As its first R&D centre outside of Silicon Valley, it will develop end-to-end intelligent connectivity solutions for Machine Learning and AI infrastructure. Thinking about the wealth of highly skilled talent in York Region and across the GTA, Chief Business Officer Sanjay Gajendra stated they “look forward to harnessing the region’s rich engineering talent that will shape the future of intelligent connectivity solutions.”
Ebara Joins the Toronto Region with New Business Investment in Aurora
Japan-based high-quality pump products and parts importer and distributor Ebara Corporation is joining the Canadian market with its first warehouse location in Aurora. Yusuke Nagatani, Ebara President, explained they chose York Region for its connectivity to surrounding high-quality sector businesses, well-established infrastructure, customer access, and linked transportation network.
These new business investments and expansions in the Region’s tech, life science, and distribution sectors are a clear indicator that York Region is a location of choice to launch, scale, and tap into the talent pool and business opportunities available in the GTA.
Thinking about expanding your business into the GTA? Click here to learn more about why York Region is where talent and opportunity intersect.