Making it in Middlesex: Stories of Business Success - Norbec
Norbec Brings Advanced Manufacturing, and 70 Jobs to Strathroy
When Norbec needed room to grow, they didn't just look for available land. They looked for a partner.
The North American leader in insulated metal panels and walk-in cold storage solutions found that partner in Middlesex County. Their new 140,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Strathroy-Caradoc represents more than a strategic expansion, it's a $45 million vote of confidence in our region's ability to support advanced manufacturing at scale.
Since 1982, Norbec has built a reputation across Canada and the United States for precision-engineered cold storage solutions serving food processing, pharmaceutical, and industrial sectors. As demand surged for their custom insulated panels and modular storage systems, the company faced a choice: where to invest in next-generation manufacturing capacity.
Why Middlesex County Won
Location mattered, but it wasn't everything.
"Strathroy-Caradoc was a natural choice for us," explains Simon Hogervorst, Plant Director at Norbec. "It provided us proximity to larger city centers, like Sarnia and London, with a skilled workforce, with a history of manufacturing industry."
Middlesex County delivered on all three.
The Strathroy site offers direct highway 402 access while maintaining the space and cost advantages that dense urban areas can't match. Equally important: during construction and commissioning, Norbec found a regional ecosystem ready to support them. Local trades, suppliers, and municipal staff treated the project as a shared priority; the kind of collaborative environment that turns site selection decisions into long-term commitments.
Hogervorst emphasizes the practical support the company received: "Throughout the construction period of the facility, we have been lucky to get government support as well as great support from Middlesex County and Strathroy-Caradoc with the recruiting, permitting, and construction processes. Working with them allowed us to ensure that the installation of the facility and the startup was as smooth as possible."
What's Inside
The new facility houses state-of-the-art panel fabrication equipment designed to increase production speed while maintaining the tight tolerances Norbec's customers demand. Automated cutting systems, precision welding stations, and quality control technology enable the plant to produce custom cold storage solutions faster and more efficiently than traditional methods.
The plant also reflects Norbec's commitment to sustainable manufacturing, energy-efficient systems, waste reduction processes, and workplace safety standards that align with Middlesex County's vision for responsible industrial growth.
Building a Workforce
Norbec is currently staffing up to 70 full-time positions across skilled trades, manufacturing, and technical roles: from plant managers to production operators, engineers, and maintenance staff. The company is also actively partnering with local training programs to develop talent pipelines that will support continued expansion.
For a community like Strathroy, that means more than jobs, it means career paths in advanced manufacturing, opportunities for skilled trades, and the economic multiplier effect that comes when good industrial jobs put down roots.
What Comes Next
Norbec isn't treating this as a finished project. The Strathroy facility was designed with future capacity in mind, and the company sees Middlesex County as a platform for reaching new markets and scaling production as North American demand for cold storage infrastructure continues climbing.
That forward-looking mindset is exactly what Middlesex County is building toward: a manufacturing sector where companies don't just locate here; they invest here, grow here, and build their future.
Norbec's decision reflects something we're seeing across sectors: companies with options are choosing Middlesex County because we offer what matters most in today's competitive landscape. Strategic location, yes, but also collaborative partnerships, realistic costs, available land, and a community that understands manufacturing isn't just a process; it's an economic engine.
If your company is evaluating where to invest next, Norbec's story might sound familiar. The question isn't whether Middlesex County can support your growth. The question is: are you ready to be our next success story?
Want to learn more about business opportunities in Middlesex County? Contact our Economic Development team to explore how we can support your expansion plans.