Starting his business 20 years ago from his car, Tony Rubino never imagined he would buy his own location. “Not at all, to be honest with you,” he said. “I mean you envision small steps. I don’t think you can envision that far out. I would be the same guy who said 10 years ago, and there will be people who can quote me, I said, ‘I’ll never buy equipment. That’s for other people. I just want to do good work for people.’ But now here I am.”

York Region Business News
Explore York Link blogs, an aggregated collection of third-party business news, and press releases coming from the York Region business community.
Markham to host largest Canada-China trade show in GTA
Markham will host what organizers say is the largest Canada-China trade exhibition ever held in the Greater Toronto Area, as growing geopolitical uncertainty pushes local governments and businesses to diversify international partnerships.
Newmarket headquartered AirBoss Announces New Contracts Valued at up to US$15.6M
The MALO contract is a two-year contract, expected to be valued at up to US$9.2 million. The contract for LBMs, filters and related accessories is expected to be valued at up to US$6.4 million.
Markham headquartered Enghouse acquires Trafi
Enghouse Systems Limited announced it has acquired, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, Trafi Ltd., a leading provider of Mobility-as-a-Service solutions based in Lithuania.
Aurora-based Thermogenics unveils biogas enrichment system to help North American industrial and commercial facilities cut emissions and improve fuel efficiency
Thermogenics has introduced a new biogas enrichment system that enables industrial boilers to operate using renewable biogas (or sometimes referred to as digester gas)—either independently or in combination with natural gas.
Richmond Hill headquartered Olympus Canada announces expansion of exclusive distribution agreement with EndoClot Plus
Olympus Canada announced today the expansion of Olympus’ commercial partnership with EndoClot® Plus, Inc. to include distribution of EndoClot Adhesive to Canada. This agreement follows a successful commercialization of the EndoClot portfolio in the United States and in Europe, Middle East and Africa.
The Tariff Impact Podcast | Dennis Dussin | President, Alps Welding
Listen to the fourth episode of The Tariff Impact Podcast to learn more about what steps Alps Welding President Dennis Dussin suggests other local manufacturers take to minimize the impact on their business by looking at diversifying to new markets and building cooperation at home.
York Region leads delegation at Hannover Messe 2025: Showcasing cutting-edge manufacturing and technology innovation in Europe
Last week, Hannover Messe 2025 kicked off with over 130,000 attendees and 4,000 exhibitors from around the globe gathering at the world’s largest industrial manufacturing expo. With Canada as the partner country this year, all eyes were on Team Canada. York Region Economic Development organized and led a regional delegation to showcase the strength of the region’s #YRtech and #YRmanufacturing ecosystems.
York University expands innovation ecosystem with Lab2Market Validate Program
York University’s YSpace continues to expand its innovation ecosystem through strategic partnership with Lab2Market (L2M) to deliver the Lab2Market Validate Ontario Cohort.
Markham-based NordSpace launches SHARP supersonic and hypersonic platform
NordSpace, the Markham-based space tech company that is building launchers and its own Canadian spaceport, has unveiled its Supersonic and Hypersonic Applications Research Platform (SHARP).
The Tariff Impact Podcast | David Paterson | Ontario Representative in Washington DC, Ontario Government
Listen to the third episode of The Tariff Impact Podcast to learn more about what the Government of Ontario’s representative in Washington DC is seeing on the ground there as Canada and the province continue to work towards a resolution with tariffs imposed by the US Government.
Qualcomm’s office lease renewal and expansion in Markham builds momentum in Ontario
The lease renewal and expansion at 105 Commerce Valley Drive in Markham, Ontario, proved to be a significant transaction. The company expanded its footprint in the building to 156,493 square feet, an increase of 48,469 square feet.
The Tariff Impact Podcast | Dennis Darby | President & CEO of CME
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) has been advocating for and representing member interests and have earned an extensive and effective track record of working for and with 2,500 leading manufacturers from coast to coast to help their businesses grow. Listen to the second episode of The Tariff Impact Podcast to learn more about what Canada’s largest manufacturers and exporters industry association is seeing and doing in regards to the trade uncertainty and tariffs with the United States.
York University and ventureLAB strengthen partnership with renewed Memorandum of Understanding
York University and ventureLAB signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand their collaboration in talent development, research, and industry-driven innovation.
The Tariff Impact Podcast | Todd Winterhalt SVP | Export Development Canada
Export Development Canada can start all the way at the beginning of an exporter’s journey or at the beginning of a business plan in some cases with market intelligence and information that can be provided to companies, who are looking to diversify markets, put together an exporting plan, and in some cases, all the way through a suite of financial products. Listen to the first episode of The Tariff Impact Podcast to learn more about the supports in place and a historic $5-billion investment to support Canadian exporters during this time of market uncertainity.
Support local Black-owned businesses on April 12!
This free one-day business expo and marketplace is open to the public and will showcase 30 Black-owned small businesses in York Region ranging from food, art, health and wellness and more!
Fighting for Canadian workers and businesses
Earlier this week, the United States administration imposed unjustified tariffs on Canada, disrupting a successful trading partnership and raising costs for Americans and Canadians alike. As the federal government, we will use every tool at our disposal so Canadian businesses and workers can weather this storm. We will defend Canadian jobs.
FedDev Ontario invests $24 million in Ontario businesses; three with presence in York Region
Minister Sahota announced a combined investment of $24 million to support 10 businesses in southern Ontario; three have a presence in York Region.
Southlake in Newmarket named one of top 3 community hospitals in Ontario, one of top 4 in Canada
Newsweek has recognized Southlake Health as one of world’s top hospitals for seven consecutive years.
YSBEC Success Story: Paris Calling Pastry
Mona Prasad is the head chef and owner of Paris Calling Pastry in Aurora, Ontario. After training as a pastry chef in Paris, Mona wanted to bring European pastries to the Greater Toronto Area.
Markham headquartered Mary Brown’s Chicken accelerates global expansion and set to enter new markets
The iconic Canadian brand, known internationally as MB Chicken, will continue to expand its footprint in existing markets such as Mexico and the UK, while also introducing its signature hand-crafted menu and proprietary cooking method to new locations across the globe in 2025 and beyond.
Aurora headquartered Prollenium unveils state-of-the-art training facility for medical aesthetics in Richmond Hill
Prollenium announced the launch of PACE Academy (Prollenium Advanced Clinical Education), a 5,000-square-foot facility dedicated to advanced training and education in medical aesthetics. This initiative marks a first-of-its-kind partnership with Harley Academy, a world leader in higher education for aesthetic medicine.
Food cutting technology company, Urschel, Expands into Vaughan, Canada
Urschel has recently announced that it will operate in Vaughan, Ontario, as Urschel Canada. The newly built facility includes a Test Cutting Facility, where clients can test-cut Urschel machines and learn more about the capabilities of their current Urschel models.
Richmond Hill-based Maple Advanced Robotics Inc. wins Hannover Messe ROBOTICS AWARD 2025
The ROBOTICS AWARD 2025, one of the most coveted awards in the international robotics community, was presented to Canadian company Maple Advanced Robotics on 19 February 2025 at the HANNOVER MESSE Press Preview. The award-winning MARI AARS project is an AI-driven robotics platform for fast and code-free programming.
Vaughan headquartered Wyse Meter Solutions acquires full ownership of EVSTART and Rate Switch
Wyse Meter Solutions is pleased to announce the successful acquisition of full ownership of EVSTART and the Rate Switch program.
York Region headquartered Magna expands long-term innovation partnership with Mercedes-Benz
“Strong partnerships with our customers are essential for driving innovation and advancing the automotive industry,” said Eric Wilds, Magna Chief Strategy & Commercial Officer. “Our continued partnership with Mercedes-Benz exemplifies how working together can lead to groundbreaking solutions and mutual success.”
Richmond Hill, York University forge new partnership
Richmond Hill Mayor David West and York University president and vice-chancellor Rhonda Lenton have signed a five-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) to set a path forward on shared goals to benefit Richmond Hill residents and businesses.
Newmarket headquartered AirBoss awarded new contract valued at up to US$82.3 million
AirBoss of America Corp announced that AirBoss Defense Group, AirBoss’ Manufactured Products’ defense business, has received a contract through the U.S. government for the ADG Molded AirBoss Lightweight Overboot.
Georgina business park adds new tenants, jobs
Pulp Moulded Products Inc., a leader in sustainable protective packaging, is expanding into a 74,000-square-foot facility. Imperial Dade, a leader in packaging, facility maintenance supplies, and distribution solutions, will occupy a 60,000-square-foot space.
GLS Canada announces lease signing in Vaughan for its new Ontario flagship in the GTA
The new facility boasts over 200,000 square feet of dock and office space, with integrated parcel and freight capabilities. This state-of-the-art hub will serve as a central point for the GLS Ontario operations, seamlessly integrating with its provincial network and its extensive national network of 65 terminals across Canada.