Date:January 6, 1999

To:Economic Development Committee

From:Joe Halstead, Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

Subject:Company Expansion - I D M D Manufacturing Inc., 45 Progress Avenue

Ward 15, Scarborough City Centre

Purpose:

To provide an overview of the proposed I D M D Manufacturing Inc. 106,000 sq.ft. facility space expansion 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 business retention and expansion by facilitating development of employment generating projects. Economic Development staff are assisting I D M D in an onsite expansion to their existing production and warehouse facility at 45 Progress Avenue.

Economic Development staff previously assisted I D M D in locating at 45 Progress Avenue and had been asked by Councillor Lorenzo Berardinetti to attend an initial meeting with William Fielding, President, I D M D Manufacturing Inc. held September 30, 1998 to assist in expediting approvals for the proposed facility which is now under construction. Also investigated was the impact of the company's expansion on adjacent City-owned land to the south which provides storm and sanitary services to the expanded facility.

Comments:

I D M D are building a 106,000 sq.ft. warehouse and manufacturing facility expansion at 45 Progress Avenue in Scarborough (see attached map). The expansion will allow I D M D to continue its aggressive growth in point-of-purchase display manufacturing for consumer goods for Canadian and international markets.

I D M D currently employs 450. The expansion will allow for an additional hiring of 200-300 employees at full production. Total capital investment in plant and equipment is expected to be approximately $5 million making this project a major new investment in Toronto in 1999.

I D M D 's expansion has created 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 building permit prior to winter.

Economic Development staff will continue its involvement with I D M D to ensure that any outstanding issues are resolved in a timely fashion. We will also assist I D M D management in identifying resources from senior levels of government for the hiring and training of staff. Opportunities for an Official Opening are also being investigated.

Conclusions:

I D M D Manufacturing Inc. represents a significant new industrial investment in the City of Toronto. Staff will continue to focus efforts on building relationships with Toronto based companies that are growing and making investment decisions that will impact their local operations through our Corporate Calling Initiative.

Economic Development staff will continue to report major investment projects for the information of 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:

F. 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

ECO-98-58