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Or sign-in if you have an account.The new ArcelorMittal Tailored Blanks plant nears completion in Ingersoll, Ont., on June 16. Photo by Geoff Robins/The London Free PressSteel giant ArcelorMittal Tailored Blanks has begun production at its $100-million, state-of-the-art steel plant in Ingersoll, giving an important boost to the southwestern Ontario town as it grapples with turmoil in the electric-vehicle sector and the trade war between Canada and the United States.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorFirst announced last fall, the 154,000-square-foot plant is expected to be operating at full capacity by year-end. It will convert steel coils from ArcelorMittal plants in Hamilton and Alabama into steel blanks – flat sheets made of different grades of steel and custom-cut into specific shapes.The blanks will then be laser-welded together at the company’s plants in Woodstock and Detroit and used in vehicle frames, including those for Stellantis NV’s Dodge Ram pickup truck and Chrysler Pacifica minivan, produced in Windsor, as well as Honda Motor Co. Ltd.’s Pilot and Passport models.SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE: FP West: Energy Insider brings you behind the oilpatch’s closed doors with exclusive insights from insiders every Wednesday morning.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of FP West: Energy Insider will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againThe plant is “part of this chain of highly engineered products that are manufactured in Canada and then put into vehicles that are both manufactured in Canada, but also vehicles that are manufactured in the U.S.,” said Todd Baker, chief executive of ArcelorMittal Tailored Blanks.“Across our portfolio, we basically manufacture parts, between our facilities, for almost every single brand of auto manufacturer.”The company said the Ingersoll facility, which now has 44 employees and is expected to grow to 53, will have the capacity to process up to 100,000 metric tonnes of steel annually.The start of production comes at a critical time for Ingersoll, which has been grappling since last year with General Motors Canada’s decision to halt production of the BrightDrop electric van at its CAMI plant.GM, whose CAMI plant accounts for about 12 per cent of Ingersoll’s tax base, has said the decision stemmed from poor sales of the electric van, with only about 2,000 units sold in Canada and the U.S. in 2024.The situation has been compounded by ongoing trade tensions with the U.S., which have led to a drop in industrial inquiries in the town, said Curtis Tighe, Ingersoll’s manager of economic development and tourism.“We understand the uncertainty is causing a lot of challenges for companies, but seeing this investment come to fruition, we were obviously very excited about it,” he said, noting Ingersoll beat out 41 other jurisdictions vying for the investment.“It’s a vote of confidence for Ingersoll and our workforce and our community that they decided to move forward with this investment. This is not part of our traditional supply chain, so it’s going to help strengthen Oxford County as a whole.” Presses and overhead cranes are seen inside the new ArcelorMittal Tailored Blanks plant in Ingersoll on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Geoff Robins/The London Free Press)The trade war, however, is not the only source of uncertainty facing Ontario’s manufacturing and auto sectors.Demand for EVs has fallen short of early expectations, while policy changes affecting the sector have added another layer of uncertainty that has forced many manufacturers to adapt production, Baker said.“The types of vehicles that were planned to be built versus the types of vehicles that are actually being built have varied substantially,” he said, noting overall vehicle sales are declining amid challenging economic conditions for buyers.“All of these together, the uncertainty and the changes, basically mean that for companies, it’s very, very hard to make decisions and it’s very, very hard, especially, to make decisions that involve new investments.”But Baker said ArcelorMittal’s decision to proceed with the project stems from a sense of confidence in the products being made at the facility and the company’s commitment to Ontario and Canada.“We expect to generate a return on that, not just over five years, but over 10 years, 15 years and 20 years,” he said.“And we’re very confident, regardless of EVs or gas, that our customers need more of our product, so that’s why we’re making the investment.”Baker also said he is confident Canada will reach an agreement with both Mexico and the U.S.He noted that only about 75 per cent of the nearly 20 million vehicles sold in North America in 2025 were produced in North America, meaning there is room for growth in the sector and for all three countries to benefit.“We buy more vehicles than we make in North America, so we have the ability to grow that manufacturing pie just by being more competitive,” he said.“Everyone (in the industry) agrees that Canada, Mexico and the United States benefit collectively by collaborating and working together.”The Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement has a July 1 deadline for renewal. If the trade deal isn’t renewed by then, it will remain in place until 2036 with annual reviews.jjuha@postmedia.com Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.