{"id":35701,"date":"2026-06-11T19:28:16","date_gmt":"2026-06-12T02:28:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/iko-breaks-ground-on-brantford-xps-manufacturing-project\/"},"modified":"2026-06-11T19:28:16","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T02:28:16","slug":"iko-breaks-ground-on-brantford-xps-manufacturing-project","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/iko-breaks-ground-on-brantford-xps-manufacturing-project\/","title":{"rendered":"IKO Breaks Ground On Brantford XPS Manufacturing Project"},"content":{"rendered":"

[ad_1]
\n<\/p>\n

\n
\"-\"<\/p>\n

From left, Brantford-Brant MP Larry Brock, Brantford mayor, Kevin Davis, IKO vice-president of North America operations, Guy Tremblay, Henry Koschitsky, IKO director Yekutiel Koschitsky, IKO regional manager, Chris Brown, IKO CEO David Koschitsky<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Canadian roofing, waterproofing and insulation products manufacturer, IKO, held a groundbreaking ceremony at the location of its future extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation plant in Brantford, Ont. The $50 million, 70,000-square-foot facility will produce 60 to 80 truckloads of XPS panel products for use in above- and below-grade applications. The new plant marks IKO\u2019s first foray into XPS panel production in North America, though the company has produced similar products in Europe. The plant will employ 30 to 40 staff and is slated to begin production in 2027.<\/p>\n

\"-\"<\/p>\n

From left, Yadin and Yekutiel Koschitzsky, Davis, Henry and David Koschitzsky.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Henry Koschitzsky, 91-year-old son of IKO founder Isidore Koschitzsky, was on hand for the groundbreaking, one of three generations of the Koschitzky family in attendance. Henry is still active in the company and led the design of the Brantford plant. He participated in the design of IKO\u2019s original shingle manufacturing facility in Brampton, Ont., in 1958.<\/p>\n

\"-\"\u201cI always find a groundbreaking like the magic and birth of a new family member,\u201d Brantford mayor, Kevin Davis, said in his remarks. \u201cThis creation is part of a large business enterprise but this product \u2013 certainly for Ontario where we\u2019re looking at expanding radically the amount of housing \u2013 I think you\u2019re going to find a great market.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"-\"<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know if we\u2019re having a baby or just getting pregnant,\u201d IKO vice-president of North America operations, Guy Tremblay, quipped. \u201cIt feels like we\u2019re just starting with a lot of work ahead for us. I want to thank our sister companies because we now have three of the IKO group companies in the same place.\u201d This was a reference to Sun Gro, a horticultural peat moss manufacturer, and Roofmart, a low-slope roof system supplier, both of whom are owned by IKO and share the 70-acre plot where the plant will be built.<\/p>\n

\"-\"\u201cI know the challenges this country is facing,\u201d Brantford-Brant federal MP, Larry Brock, said. \u201cUnfortunately there are too many small and medium-sized businesses that have lost confidence in the direction this country is going in and are moving to the United States. So when I hear of companies such as yourselves who are prepared to go into the long run and commit to Canada and commit to this community, that is deserving of my applause and recognition.\u201d<\/p>\n

IKO CEO David Koschitzsky said he is often asked why IKO chose Brantford. Then he noted that the company\u2019s first manufacturing facility was in Brampton, followed by a wrapper production facility in Barrie, Ont. So the next Ontario location had to start with a \u201cB.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
\"-\"<\/a>\"-\"<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

IKO director of consumer and corporate affairs, Derek Fee, offered a possibly more serious reason, noting Brantford\u2019s proximity to major transporation routes and being within commuting distance of Toronto without being inside the big city. Familiarity with the region through the Brampton facility, however, did play a big role. IKO Regional manufacturing director, Chris Brown, noted that they are hoping to hire a plant manager soon so that they can participate in the plant construction process. Brown says the company would prefer someone from the local area who could bring knowledge of the regional manufacturing network and community ties to the job.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve spent a lot of money the last five years,\u201d David said. \u201cMy grandfather, who started this business, said you can either get bigger or smaller but you can\u2019t stay the same. We\u2019ve spent a lot of money on capital expansion and more importantly bringing new jobs to areas and we\u2019re very excited about that.\u201d IKO has invested about $1 billion building new production facilities across North America.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been fortunate that when we\u2019ve opened up facilities, we\u2019ve stayed for many, many years,\u201d David continued. \u201cThe plant my uncle built Brampton, it\u2019s no longer there\u2026because it\u2019s a brand new facility built in the same place. We take a lot of pride in the fact that most of the communities we\u2019ve been in, once we get there, we put down roots and we stay there.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n