A Collingwood company is getting ready to make a splash with a major expansion and new staff hires.
Sensor Technologies Ltd. was recently awarded a $500,000 grant from the regional development program’s Southwestern Ontario development fund. The money will be included in a $3,333,333 investment the company is making to hire 11 more staff and expand their Collingwood facilities.
“It’s wonderful. It validates that we’re on the right path and we have support. It means a lot to us,” said Niru Somayajula, president and CEO of Sensor Technologies Ltd. “We’re going through a pretty big facility expansion because we have a lot more demand for our projects.”
“Our customers want more of what we’re making.”
Somayajula said that Sensor Technologies’ facilities, located at 16-20 Stewart St., are tapped out and at maximum capacity now.
Sensor Technology Ltd. builds underwater communication sensors. One of the most common uses of the technology is military based although it’s also used to locate oil and gas underwater and in fish conservation work.
Somayajula said political unrest across the world has contributed to the market for her products expanding, and the business is attracting bigger customers as time goes on.
“It helps us understand what our threats are on a global scale,” she said. “Navys around the world are gearing up for potential conflict. We’re a big part of their needs for sensing.”
“Our sensors protect people. It’s a great mission.”
Work is already underway on spending the funds, with 20 new staff hired since this past December.
“We were always going to do this project even if we didn’t get the money. The money the government has offered us is fantastic; it’s a nice help.”
Somayajula said that now work is underway to determine if it makes sense to build the bigger modernized facility on Stewart St., or whether it makes sense to build it in another location altogether so their workflow isn’t disrupted.
Although there is one non-negotiable for Somayajula when it’s time to make that decision, and it’s staying in Collingwood.
“We want to make sure we stay very close to where we are now. I live here. I don’t want to go anywhere else,” she said.
In a news release, Simcoe-Grey MPP Brian Saunderson said the province’s investment will help grow manufacturing and create more good-paying jobs.
“Our government is building a strong Ontario and strengthening the economy by supporting key investments in communities like Collingwood,” said Saunderson. “I want to congratulate and thank Sensor Technology for their investment in our community.”
