Date:November 6, 1998
To:Economic Development Committee
From:Joe Halstead, Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism
Subject:Viva Magnetics (Canada) Limited, 1663 Neilson Road
Purpose:
To provide an overview of the proposed Viva Magnetics (Canada) Limited investment in a
new manufacturing facility in the City of Toronto.
Funding:
There are no funding implications at this time.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that this report be received for information.
Background:
A critical component of the Economic Development Program is the attraction of new
investment and to facilitate the development of employment generating projects. Economic
Development staff have assisted Viva Magnetics (Canada) Limited from Delta, B.C. in
identifying a location for their $30 million compact disk jewel box manufacturing
operation. Economic Development staff are also assisting in expediting approvals for the
proposed facility which is now under construction.
Comments:
Viva Magnetics (Canada) Limited is building a 133,000 sq.ft. manufacturing facility at
1663 Neilson Road, north of Finch Avenue in Scarborough (see attached map). The
operation will manufacture CD jewel boxes (cases) and will employ between 50 to 70
people. The operation will complement Viva Magnetic's existing operations in Delta, B.C.
and Hong Kong. Total capital investment in plant and equipment is expected to be
approximately $30 million, making this one of the largest new manufacturing investment
projects in Toronto in 1998.
The Mayor made direct contact early in the decision making process with the owners to
address their concerns and provide necessary assurances that their investment in a Toronto
location was the best corporate decision. Economic Development staff, with the assistance
of the Mayor and the local Councillors, were able to satisfy location issues and timing
constraints to accommodate Viva Magnetic's needs. Mayor Lastman followed up initial
discussions with the proponents at a meeting with Mr. Choi, the principal shareholder for
Viva Magnetics on his visit to the Far East.
The Viva Magnetic's project has significant site development challenges and a very
aggressive time frame for development and construction in order to accommodate
production requirements for the facility. Cooperation through the site plan and building
permit process from all agencies was required to fulfil a commitment to allow a partial
building permit prior to winter.
Economic Development staff will continue its involvement with Viva Magnetics file to
ensure that further permits are processed in a timely fashion. We will also assist local
management in identifying community resources as well as resources from senior levels of
government for the hiring and training of staff for the new facility.
Conclusions:
Viva Magnetics (Canada) Limited represents a significant new industrial investment in the
City of Toronto. Staff will continue to focus efforts on investment attraction from both new
companies considering the City of Toronto, as well as existing Toronto-based companies
that are growing and making investment decisions that will impact their local operations.
Economic Development staff will continue to report major investment projects for
information to the Economic Development Committee. Completed projects will also be
routinely reported to the Mayor and Members of Council by the Managing Director of
Economic Development on a timely basis.
Contact Name:
Bruce Graham, Director, Business Development & Retention
Telephone: 416 396-7066, Fax: 416 396-4241
E-mail: graham@city.scarborough.on.ca
Joe Halstead
Commissioner
Economic Development, Culture and Tourism
Encl.
ECO-98-48
