In recognition of 25 years of making cars in Canada, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC) hosted a celebration at the new Waterloo Region Museum recently that featured company executives, community leaders and provincial and federal officials. Special guests included Ontario Economic Development and Innovation Minister, Brad Duguid and Toyota Motor Corporation President, Akio Toyoda.
In 1986, TMMC broke ground on its Cambridge, Ont. plant site. Original projections were for the plant to employ 1,000 and build 50,000 vehicles per year on a single line in a plant totalling 1 million square feet. Since then, employment has grown to more than 6,500.
Last year, TMMC built more than nine times original projections: more than 458,000 Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Toyota now operates three vehicle assembly plants in Canada, building the Toyota Corolla and Lexus RX350 in Cambridge and the RAV4 in Woodstock, Ont. The total size of those three plants is now 4.8 million square feet.
Over the past 25 years, TMMC has invested $5.6 billion in its plant and facilities. Toyota Motor Corporation President, Akio Toyoda commented, “TMMC has become one of Toyota’s largest, most successful manufacturing operations in the world. It has done so by consistently exceeding expectations.”
Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development and Innovation, Brad Duguid, remarked, “Toyota is an essential part of Ontario’s auto industry, and a big reason why the province continues to be the leading jurisdiction in North America for vehicle assembly. We look forward to continuing our productive partnership with the Toyota team and are delighted to offer our congratulations on this important milestone.”
TMMC Chairman, Ray Tanguay reflected on the growth. “Along with satisfying our customers, the most important contribution we can make is to provide secure employment for Canadian Team Members. For me, it’s gratifying to watch people grow and thrive as TMMC Team Members.”
This year, TMMC earned its ninth J.D. Power and Associates Plant Quality Award for Initial Quality. Brian Krinock, who has been President of TMMC since 2010, commented “Our Team Members have made some remarkable contributions and they deserve every accolade they’ve earned. The growth that our Canadian operations have enjoyed is the direct result of their expanding capabilities.”
As part of the celebration, TMMC donated 10 RAV4 vehicles to local community groups. The ten groups were:
1. Cambridge Salvation Army
2. Woodstock Salvation Army
3. University of Waterloo
4. Wilfrid Laurier University
5. Conestoga College
6. YMCAs of Cambridge and Kitchener-Waterloo
7. Waterloo Regional Police
8. Woodstock Police
9. Cambridge Fire Department
10. Woodstock Fire Department
“I’ve had the honour of watching Toyota grow in my community for more than 25 years. They’ve been a remarkable partner and have made a tremendous contribution to the Region,” said Waterloo Regional Chair, Ken Seiling.
