Tenaris to expand production, create jobs with $9 million in NOHFC funding

Tenaris Algoma Tubes Inc. will receive $9 million to expand production and subsequently create 153 full-time jobs in Sault Ste. Marie.  

Sault Ste. Marie MPP Ross Romano says the funding provided through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation will enable Tenaris to become one of the global leaders in steel pipe manufacturing while creating job opportunities locally.  

"That $9 million will leverage $117 million private sector investment into Sault Ste. Marie. I want to say that again: $117 million private sector investment in our city, that was leveraged as a result of a $9 million provincial investment," Romano said during Tuesday's announcement.  

Tenaris aims to transform its Sault Ste. Marie site an industrial hub by placing its seamless pipe manufacturing and electric resistance welding (ERW) pipe manufacturing operations under one roof. 

“It’s a very ambitious endeavour, and we’ve timed this so that we can serve our customers in the Canadian oil and gas industry for what they need for the winter drilling season next year,” said David McHattie, vice president of institutional relations with Tenaris Canada. “So our plan is to be producing pipes in the fourth quarter of 2021, so that we’re able to continue the inventory that we have and sustain our customer’s operations.” 

The pipe manufacturer is in the process of completing first $36 million in upgrades, which is expected to wrap up by the end of this year. It's expected that another $81 million in investments will be made end by the end of 2021.