London, Ontario: A Thriving Hub for Manufacturing Excellence

London, Ontario – a 30‑minute drive south of Tillsonburg – is more than a sports town. Home to the London Knights, the birthplace of John Labatt, and a training ground for NHL stars like Rick Nash, Corey Perry and Brendan Shanahan, it is also a leading manufacturing center.

Our machine shop has benefited from London’s vibrant industrial ecosystem since day one. The city hosts major players such as 3M, Brose, and General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS), our largest client. Other partners include Autoneum, Cantwell, Deetag, Hanwha Canada, Johnson Controls and many more.

According to the London Economic Development Corporation (LEDC), manufacturers in London employ over 30,000 people and contribute $5 billion to the regional GDP, positioning the city for rapid growth.

London supplies a ready pool of skilled labor and educational resources. Many of our machinists hold certificates from Fanshawe College’s Manufacturing Engineering Technology program, and several team members live in the city, commuting a short trip to our shop.

Fanshawe College’s campus, highlighted in the photo above, offers a sunny learning environment for future manufacturing professionals.

The LEDC is a non‑profit dedicated to boosting London’s economic health by fostering local business growth and attracting new investment. Their website details the manufacturing advantages of the city:

Industry Highlights from LEDC

• Strategic location on the NAFTA superhighway at the intersection of Highways 401 and 402 gives instant access to extensive supply chains.

• Three border crossings—Detroit, Port Huron and Buffalo—are within a two‑hour trucking window, enabling just‑in‑time delivery and service to a diverse customer base.

• World‑class infrastructure: certified industrial sites, reliable utilities tailored to manufacturing needs.

• Proactive workforce development that matches plant requirements with skilled talent, supported by job‑ready programs at local institutions.

• Municipal commitment through master‑planned industrial parks and streamlined permitting.

• Western’s Mechanical Engineering program equips students with specialized manufacturing knowledge, while research facilities like WindEEE Dome, Surface Science Western and the Fraunhofer Project Center enable product innovation.

• Fanshawe College’s Manufacturing Engineering Technology curriculum covers industrial maintenance, millwright, CNC machining and logistics, producing graduates ready to join London’s manufacturing workforce.

Whether you’re a professional seeking new opportunities or a student looking to study manufacturing, London offers a wealth of options. Explore careers at our machine shop here.