Japan-based Tohmei Industries, a Japanese aerospace company, will locate its first North American operations center, south of Toronto, in Mississauga, Ontario.

According to local officials, Tohmei plans to initially lease their own facility, and then hire and train Canadian talent.

Tohmei is a well-known player in the Japanese aerospace sector, working closely with other companies such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to assemble components of Bombardier aircraft. The company’s technology cultivated in aerospace led them to supply the transportation industry in Japan, where Tohmei designs and manufactures special test equipment for the Shinkansen Bullet Train, fatigue-testing for the auto industry, and anti-rolling gyro equipment for cabin cruisers. In Japan, a subsidiary of Tohmei manufactures advanced composite materials such as Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics.

In Japan, Tohmei’s main customers include Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Subaru, the Ministry of Defense, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. One of their main products is the composite centre wing for the Boeing 787.

“I am delighted and excited that Tohmei has chosen Mississauga as its Canadian home and look forward to working with them as they grow their business and establish a presence in the North American market,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie.

According to the Mayor’s Office, Mayor Crombie first met with Tohmei in April 2016 during her first investment mission to Japan. In that meeting, Tohmei expressed a strong desire to establish operations in North America. Tohmei worked closely with government of Canada and Ontario representatives in Japan, as well as Mississauga’s own Economic Development Office to find a location and set up their business in Canada.

“This is how economic development works,” said Mayor Crombie. “It’s important to meet these companies in person, establish a relationship, and then work with them as they navigate the Canadian environment. These investments do not just happen overnight, but take many months, and even years of hard work.”

“I believe the sky is the limit for Tohmei,” said Mayor Crombie. “Like so many other aerospace companies, Tohmei sees the value of locating their business in Mississauga to access not only the North American market, but also highly skilled talent, and a robust aerospace supply chain featuring some of the biggest players in the industry. If you’re in the aerospace business, Mississauga is the place to be!”

Mississauga is Canada’s largest aerospace cluster by employment, local officials noted. The aerospace industry employs over 27,000 people in over 330 aerospace companies. Mississauga is also home to Canada’s largest airport and global hub, Toronto Pearson.