EllisDon Selected as General Contractor for $7 Billion St. Thomas Gigafactory

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EllisDon Corporation has been appointed as the general contractor for PowerCo Canada's St. Thomas gigafactory, a critical development in the electric vehicle and battery manufacturing sector in Ontario.

ST. THOMAS, ONT. – PowerCo Canada has officially appointed EllisDon Corporation as the general contractor for its ambitious $7 billion gigafactory in St. Thomas, marking a significant step forward as the project progresses into its next construction phase. This phase will focus on the core infrastructure and structural components necessary for future production activities. The scope of work encompasses the construction of the production-building shell, as well as the installation of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, alongside energy and utility infrastructures and essential site services.
Currently, about 60 EllisDon workers are engaged on-site, with expectations to increase the workforce to approximately 1,300 at peak periods. This will be complemented by additional personnel involved in concurrent project activities, as detailed in a recent company release. The gigafactory itself will span 1.5 million square feet, equivalent to the area of 210 football fields, while the entire industrial park will cover an expansive 1,500 acres, or roughly 850 football fields.
Max Mantha, president of construction at EllisDon, expressed pride in the company's role in this transformative project. "The PowerCo facility represents a transformative investment in Canada’s industrial future, and EllisDon is proud to play a role in its delivery,” he stated. He emphasized the commitment of EllisDon, a Canadian-headquartered and employee-owned firm, to building the infrastructure that will bolster Canada’s expanding electric vehicle and battery manufacturing sector. The project is anticipated to generate numerous opportunities for skilled tradespeople, local businesses, and communities throughout southwestern Ontario.
Construction formally commenced in 2025, with Magil Construction Canada responsible for the foundational work on three major buildings. Additionally, Steelcon Group of Companies is tasked with the fabrication and erection of the structural steel components for the facility. PowerCo has indicated that it is synchronizing the project's timeline and product strategy with the evolving demands of the market, technological innovations, and the overarching long-term strategy of the Volkswagen Group.
The St. Thomas facility is now projected to commence operations in 2029, a shift from the previously stated target of initiating battery production by 2027. Joel Karlsberg, chief procurement officer at PowerCo Canada, highlighted the importance of the gigafactory in their North American strategy. "We are continuing to build now while determining how and when the facility scales over time. This is about getting the pacing right — not stepping back — to protect our long-term investment, support regional jobs, and position Canada, Ontario, and St. Thomas to benefit in a dynamic and evolving market," he remarked.

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