PowerCo Canada officially began construction on three major buildings today, marking a pivotal milestone for its St. Thomas gigafactory project. This work formally launches development of what is set to become Canada’s largest EV battery plant, with initial production targeted to begin in 2027.
“Today marks a big milestone for PowerCo Canada, as we officially mark the beginning of construction on our third and largest EV gigafactory worldwide”, said Frank Blome, CEO of PowerCo SE. “Electric vehicles are the future of the global automotive sector, and we’re proud to spearhead such a significant investment, while positioning Canada at the forefront of innovative EV battery production. We aim to build a global battery champion with a strong footprint in Europe and North America.”
Magil Construction Canada Inc., is leading the foundational work for three major buildings at the site, involving over 500,000 square feet of formwork, more than 32,000 cubic meters of concrete, and approximately 4,850 metric tonnes of rebar. Steel erection by Canadian partner Steelcon, is also set to commence in the coming weeks, signaling rapid momentum.
“Seeing concrete being poured is an incredibly exciting moment for Magil Construction Canada and the entire project team,” said Paul Henke, President of Magil Construction Canada Inc. “We are proud to be PowerCo’s Canadian partner, bringing our expertise and skilled local talent to build this state-of-the art facility. This project is a testament to the talent here at home and we are proud to support this generational project.”
Once complete, the St. Thomas gigafactory will bring PowerCo’s advanced Unified Cell battery technology to Canada, supporting a more resilient domestic supply chain and further solidifying Canada’s position as a global EV manufacturing hub.
Recruitment is also well underway, with more than 100 applications received since the launch of a major campaign across Southwestern Ontario. The campaign includes transit, billboard and social media ads aimed at attracting top-tier local talent for the thousands of jobs the plant will create.
Founded in 2022 to become a global battery champion, PowerCo SE is a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, one of the world’s leading car companies. Headquartered in St. Thomas, Ontario, PowerCo Canada will steer all activities of the battery company in North America. With an investment of up to $7 billion, the St. Thomas gigafactory is PowerCo’s third and largest project globally.
