Latest news with #NextStarEnergy
CBC
13 hours ago
- Business
- CBC
Nearly 200 suddenly laid off at NextStar EV battery plant in Windsor: Contractor
Exclusive NextStar says its workers and operations are unaffected Some workers at the NextStar Energy electric vehicle battery plant in Windsor, Ont., have been abruptly laid off, according to the contractor for which they worked. Eric Farron, vice president of operations at Sylvan Canada, said Friday that nearly 200 of the company's workers at the facility — 145 millwrights and ironworkers, 45 electricians, and three pipe fitters — were affected. Farron said the firm was told to "immediately demobilize" on Thursday night, and that the workers still had a significant amount of work left to complete. Mike Meloche, business agent for UA Local 527 — which represents plumbers, steamfitters, and welders in southwestern Ontario — said "a lot of guys" at the plant had been sent home Friday and that some had been told not to return until Wednesday. NextStar, a $5-billion joint venture between automaker Stellantis and South Korean battery maker LG Energy Solution, said its employees and operations are unaffected by the decision. "Change in works are a standard part of operations and reflect ongoing efforts to align project needs," spokesperson Daniela Ferro said in a statement. "The company looks forward to the successful completion of the NextStar Energy site." Ferro did not clarify what those changes were, what caused them, or whether the layoffs were temporary or not. Construction on the sprawling east end battery plant, the first of its kind in Canada, began in 2022. Work at the site paused in 2023 in light of fresh incentives for EV battery production south of the border, leading the provincial and federal governments to pledge $15 billion in tax breaks to keep the project alive. The companies have said the plant will eventually employ 2,500 people and supply batteries for up to 450,000 Stellantis vehicles annually. The facility started producing battery modules in October. The company's CEO previously said he expected production on the battery cells themselves to start this fall.
CBC
5 days ago
- Business
- CBC
How Windsor is banking on debt to unlock and expedite east end development
It's something the southwestern Ontario border city has tried to avoid for many years: building up and carrying high levels of debt. Windsor's financial strategy has normally been more of a pay-as-you-go model while keeping debt levels low and paying for projects from reserve funding. The city bucked that trend a few years ago when it spent $49 million to buy land for the NextStar Energy battery factory. More recently, council gave the green light to take on $33 million worth of debt for the neighbouring Banwell Road corridor and E.C. Row Expressway overpass projects. They are currently paused after the discovery of endangered gartersnakes. Aside from the notable flyover, the projects also include another roundabout, widening a stretch of Banwell, extending Wyandotte Street and improving the intersection of Banwell Road at McNorton Street. The province is kicking in nearly $70 million of the overall roughly $110 million total price tag. The shift in financial strategy is intended to keep up with the rapid growth in that area, according to the city's treasurer and commissioner of finance. Ultimately, says Janice Guthrie, the projects will be mainly funded through future building development charges to offset the cost for service. "Now that growth will come, and that growth will pay for the infrastructure services needed in order to expand — but we need the cash now, we need to contract [out], we need to get shovels in the ground," she said. Two-pronged financial approach Guthrie says the two-pronged debt strategy starts with a first step of securing construction financing. "The interest will be paid for by existing development charges." Short-term borrowing will take place while construction is underway. When the projects are complete, the city will reassess where it stands with new development and anticipated revenue coming in from the growth it's seen. The second phase is when the city will determine whether long-term financing is needed for a period of anywhere between 10, 20 or 25 years, according to Guthrie. "None of this debt will be tax levy funded," she added, meaning existing residents won't be on the hook for having to pay for any of it. "This debt will be funded from the new growth and development, the expansion, the unlocking of the area on the east side of the city." 'We like to limit our debt' While it's not new to municipalities, or Windsor, Guthrie says it's something they've tried to avoid. "We like to limit our debt. We like to make sure that we have the cash in the bank and we have the revenue sources identified before we undertake significant road projects." Last week, the city highlighted a stable financial outlook. S&P Global Ratings, a credit rating agency, gave the city an AA+ rating, which indicates low risk with a strong capacity to repay debt. Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens called it a vote of confidence. "Even amidst a climate of uncertainty resulting from threat of tariffs and a trade war with the U.S., we are working diligently to leverage all opportunities in support of a robust local economy, and to navigate the unique challenges that come with unprecedented growth and development in our community," he said in a statement. 'Growth pays for growth' Guthrie says expansion is limited in some areas of the city, including the core, so the east end is one spot they've identified, including Sandwich South for future development. "You may see a bit of this debt financing coming forward with some of our projects, but we will use it where it makes sense and strategically making sure that we limit the effect on existing residents." According to Guthrie, the city's building department has informed administration of a "significant" amount of housing that will take place once the road network is available in the Banwell Road corridor. "Growth pays for growth," she said. "We are very confident that this will attract growth and we will achieve the revenues that we need in order to cover our municipal share of the cost." East Windsor becoming more dense Frazier Fathers says east Windsor is rapidly becoming dense. The local researcher and consultant says as that part of the city continues to sprawl, he has his eyes on other areas like Sandwich South, the Cabana Road and Dougall Avenue corridor, and Tecumseh Road at Walker Road. "A number of high development corridors and nodes that have been identified … all of the major thoroughfares in the city where they want to see intensification," said Fathers. "It would be interesting to see how does that come to play as it goes forward." He also points to projects identified for Huron Church Road, for example, where there could be less truck traffic in the future, as the Gordie Howe bridge opens and gives truckers another option. "As a result of that, maybe the road condition changes and then it's now more suitable for apartment buildings … rather than just commercial." Windsor's west side around the new crossing is another area Fathers says could be unlocked for development. But, he points to Ojibway National Urban Park expected to be officially designated at some point this year. "The area of actual developable land is probably going to be constrained in the west end," said Fathers. Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara says he's appreciative of the large east Windsor road projects around Banwell Road — calling them "timely" — and that they significantly benefit his community and its development. The neighbouring town has done its own recent construction work on more southerly parts of Banwell at County Road 42. All of the work is in anticipation of roughly 4,000 residential units being built in the Tecumseh hamlet area over the next several years between the expressway and County Road 42 — across from NextStar. That, McNamara says, could increase the town's population by about 8,800 people. "It is timely," he said. "It is certainly appreciative. It's a significant track of land," he said. "This is not going to happen overnight. And the market is going to dictate in exactly at the breadth of speed that it will happen." While construction has yet to start on the home builds, the mayor says infrastructure work such as sanitary water systems is now underway.
CBC
13-06-2025
- General
- CBC
Endangered snakes delay Banwell Road, E.C. Row Expressway overpass projects
Social Sharing Work on Windsor's large Banwell Road interchange and corridor construction projects is currently on hold after Butler's gartersnakes were discovered. The snakes are considered a species at risk. Similar environmental concerns surrounded the same reptile while the neighbouring NextStar Energy battery plant was being built. The road projects total more than $100 million and include an overpass being built across the E.C. Row Expressway, another roundabout, on and off ramps, and more lanes put in on Banwell as the road widens south of the expressway, on the city's east-side. Right now, there's a dedicated intersection with traffic lights — meaning vehicles often back up and idle for multiple light cycles in all directions. Under Ontario's Endangered Species Act, a provincial permit was issued to the city on May 28 regarding the snakes. It includes conditions requiring surveys being conducted, called "targeted salvage," to collect and remove them from the project area before work can get underway. Any Butler's gartersnakes found will be moved by a "qualified professional" to a "suitable area within their home range," according to Gary Wheeler, spokesperson for Ontario's Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks. The permit remains in effect until all conditions are satisfied, he said, and that includes installing exclusion fencing and using certain surveying methods, such as cover boards, to locate all of the snakes in the area. "Multiple surveys are required to be conducted, to ensure all Butler's gartersnakes are removed prior to the start of construction," said Wheeler. "This includes requirements to minimize adverse effects on the species and its habitat, implementing beneficial actions to support the protection and recovery of the species, and monitoring the effectiveness of those beneficial actions for a 10-year monitoring period," he added. Karen Alexander is the City of Windsor's naturalist. She says the Butler's gartersnake is only found in a few places in North America, with the majority of them isolated to the Great Lakes region. The snakes are being relocated to nearby areas approved by the province. "You move through the area that you've isolated the snakes into, and you're visually searching for them," she said. "When you find them, you're putting them in a bag and bringing them to relocation sites." According to Alexander, they've also come across other types of snakes and moved them, like Eastern gartersnakes, during the sweep of the project area. Project path Stacey McGuire, Windsor's executive director of municipal engineering, says the discovery of the snakes set the city back a "few months." "[We're] trying to get the plan in place to do this and rightly so," she said. "That's what you'll see out there right now ... people picking up the snakes, moving them into more appropriate locations where they're not going to get injured." McGuire anticipates completing the snake surveying and relocations by the end of June — enabling crews to mobilize construction efforts in early July. She expects a "considerable" amount of project work to be done in the Banwell corridor this summer, and said she hopes everything will open — including the new overpass — around summer 2027. "I think we'll be able to nail something down pretty tightly with the contractor over the next month or so in terms of schedule," McGuire said. "Then we'll be able to say something with a little bit more certainty." Bill 5 could've helped, says MPP Ontario has given the city roughly $69 million toward the upgrades. Some of that cash is also being used to extend Wyandotte Street East and improve the intersection at Banwell and McNorton Street. Windsor–Tecumseh MPP Andrew Dowie says it's important to support projects like this — but so is seeing them continue to move forward. "It is the biggest bottleneck [for] many of us in the east side of Windsor and into Tecumseh … and those travelling from Lakeshore," said the Conservative politician. "This is a regional issue ... our commutes are lengthened because of this intersection. Also having all those cars just idling for a couple of traffic cycles in the morning, in the evening doesn't help our environment at all." Traffic volumes are expected to increase in the area as the NextStar Energy battery plant continues to ramp up production and its hiring. Dowie says if his government's recently passed controversial Bill 5 was in place ahead of the Banwell work beginning, and discovery of the snakes, he believes action could've been taken much quicker. "We are very knowledgeable about the Butler's garter snake and Windsor, Essex County. We know what they are. We know what their habitats are. We know how to put up the snake fence. We know what we need to do. And yet the permit process does not allow for us to use our expertise." Bill 5, also called the Protecting Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, empowers the government to establish special economic zones, where companies or projects can be exempt from provincial or municipal regulations. Dowie says despite fast-tracking projects, there's no leeway when it comes to protecting the environment. "Bill 5 is a permit by right and that means you register the project, you commit to fulfilling all requirements under the various environmental protections and you act. And if you are found to be in violation, you are going to be fined or you may even go to jail."
Korea Herald
05-03-2025
- Automotive
- Korea Herald
Samsung SDI ready to roll out 46-series batteries: CEO
Samsung SDI President and CEO Choi Joo-sun said Wednesday the company is poised to start mass production of its new 46-series cylindrical batteries for electric vehicles, an upgraded version of the smaller 21700 batteries. 'We have secured customers for these batteries and have submitted sample products (to them),' said Choi during a press briefing at the InterBattery 2025 exhibition on Wednesday in Gangnam, Seoul, while declining to disclose specifics, citing confidentiality. The 46-series cylindrical battery, measuring 46 millimeters in diameter, is called a 'game changer' for its enhanced energy capacity and output and an emerging form factor selected by carmakers looking to power their high-performance electric vehicles. Samsung SDI has displayed the new lineup with four variants: 4680, 4695, 46100 and 46120 — all sharing a 46 mm diameter but differing in length (80 mm, 95 mm, 100 mm and 120 mm, respectively) in its exhibition but, while its rival LG Energy Solution also showcased the advanced tech. Regarding the company's US operations, Choi said, 'This year, we are taking a rather conservative approach on (whether to build) our own North American plant due to a notable decline in the (EV) demand compared to last year. Nonetheless, we are assessing our options, as long-term growth remains a top priority.' Choi added that the first battery cell manufacturing plant of NextStar Energy in the US, a joint venture with Stellantis, has ramped up production faster than expected, with the US Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit projected to be reflected in the first quarter of this year. While taking a cautious approach to completing the second plant of NextStar Energy and a joint venture facility with General Motors by 2027 and 2026, respectively, due to a downturn in the EV demand, Choi noted the company is considering meeting the construction deadline for now. When asked whether Samsung SDI plans to lower the operation rate of its Hungarian plant following Trump's proposed 25 percent tariffs on EU goods, Choi said, 'Our Hungarian facility is currently operating at much lower rates driven by a significant decline in customer demand compared to the past. Unfortunately, I cannot share specific figures (on the rate) due to confidentiality.' Choi projected that the company is expected to see a turnaround from the second quarter of next year while pledging to advance its technological prowess through investments even in the face of ongoing trade disruptions. Commenting on the recent business tie-up with Hyundai Motor Group on robotics, Choi hinted at bolstering a partnership with the auto giant on electric vehicles as well.
CBC
12-02-2025
- Business
- CBC
City of Windsor to extend bus service to Twin Oaks industrial park, research improved access
The City of Windsor will hire a transportation consultant to find both short and long-term solutions to enhance access to the Twin Oaks Industrial Park and will change the route of the Lauzon 10 bus to better service the park until a new route goes into effect. It will also look into sidewalks for the park, develop an active transportation plan for access, and speak with business owners in the park about possible temporary options to further improve transit service by using their properties as part of a route. City council passed a motion approving the actions at its Monday meeting. Ward 9 Coun. Kieran McKenzie requested the addition of the sidewalk, active transportation and improved temporary transit provisions. "[It's] really important that we deal with this immediately," McKenzie told council Monday. "There are ongoing traffic related issues that I have very very serious concerns about right now. I think there needs to be urgency and immediacy with whatever it is that we do." There's been public concern about traffic in the business park since 2022, when construction of the NextStar Energy battery plant left the intersection of Twin Oaks Drive and Lauzon Parkway as the only entrance and exit point. Increase in collisions Since then, there have been two emergencies in Twin Oaks, according to a report to council authored by Ian Day, the city's senior manager of traffic operations and parking. Both of those resulted in traffic being blocked from entering and exiting for a long period of time while emergency services responded – though NextStar agreed to open up E.C. Row Avenue East in order to let people out. Collisions at Twin Oaks Drive and Lauzon Parkway have increased in relation to the increase in traffic, according to the report. There had been no pedestrian-involved collisions between January 2015 and December 2024, but on Jan. 21 of this year, a woman was fatally struck by a vehicle as she was trying to cross Twin Oaks Drive on foot. Administration recommended in its report that council hold off on hiring the transportation consultant for four to six months until after NextStar has opened its dedicated access point off Banwell Road and traffic has had a chance to normalize. The city's Commissioner of Infrastructure Services, David Simpson, told council that the city also has significant road works planned for Banwell Road and Lauzon Parkway in its 10 year capital plan, and it does not want to do work prematurely that might not be needed in two to three years time. "The intersection at Twin Oaks and Lauzon is still functioning," Simpson said. "It's functioning at a reduced level of service, but it's certainly not at a point of failure." But McKenzie interrupted Simpson. "There was an accident there today – this morning," he said. Ward 8 Coun. Gary Kaschak, whose ward neighbours McKenzie's, said McKenzie is not exaggerating the traffic issues. The City of Windsor on Tuesday morning announced the new change to the Lauzon 10 bus service, which will last until the new 250 route serving Twin Oaks goes into effect. Starting Tuesday, Feb. 18, the southbound Lauzon 10 will service Twin Oaks Drive and Munich Court.
