GUELPH, Ontario -- Linamar Corp. yesterday announced a partnership with the Ontario government to invest in people and technology development critical to the company's success. The investment will include significant contributions for training, leading edge process and product technology development. Linamar plans to build an advanced manufacturing technology center in Guelph, Ontario, to house training and R&D efforts. This investment will help create 3,000 jobs at Linamar over the next five years. The Ontario government will contribute a grant of $44.5 million to the project.

"With the support of the Ontario government, we will build the much-required skills and education for our current employees - as well as the 3,000 team members we'll add in the next five years - in a fiscally responsible manner," said Linda Hasenfratz, CEO, Linamar Corporation. "We have a responsibility to our employees and customers to provide the best technology, products and skills - this agreement will ensure that we continue to achieve these goals long into the future."

Part of the government grant will be used to establish a new Linamar Technology and Training Center dedicated to innovation in the engineering and production of automotive powertrains and chassis systems and the development of people critical to the company's success. The new centre will strengthen the competitiveness of Linamar's 22 Guelph-area plants and expand the knowledge base for the company.

"The auto sector is one of the pillars of our economy. By investing in leading-edge manufacturing, we're making sure that Ontario remains one of the most competitive locations in the world for investment," said Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty. "In today's economy, the best jobs go to the places with the most highly skilled people and our government will continue working with manufacturers to make Ontario the place to be."

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