NANAIMO – Atlas Engineered Products Ltd. will build a new, cutting-edge wood manufacturing facility, powered by advanced robotics in its Ontario plant, thanks to funding announced through Natural Resources Canada’s Investments in Forest Industry Transformation program.
Atlas has received a fully executed non-repayable contribution agreement for up to $4 million of funding towards its robotics truss manufacturing facility being built in Clinton, Ontario.
“AEP is extremely grateful and appreciative for the support received from the IFIT program as we advance Canada’s first robotic truss manufacturing facility,” says CEO and President Hadi Abassi. “Canada continues to face significant housing shortages and affordability challenges. The efficiencies and increased capacity this facility brings will help support the industry as more homes are needing to be built across the country.”
The project is expected to strengthen the wood construction supply chain and expand Canada’s capacity to produce high value, made-in-Canada building materials. Robotics will boost precision and efficiency and reduce waste while delivering strong, reliable wooden trusses made with care for the environment.
The construction of the Clinton facility is approaching completion, with preparations underway for the arrival of equipment. The robotic system and integrated saw system have partially shipped with the remainder anticipated to ship this month, and installation is expected to be finalized by the end of AEP’s second fiscal quarter.
“It has been an extensive process planning and implementing the robotics facility in Clinton, and we are pleased that the completion of this initial site is now only months away,” Abassi adds. “This achievement represents the result of considerable effort and patience, and to witness the production of the first roof truss at this facility will be a rewarding milestone.”
Atlas, based in Nanaimo, has a network of small to medium-sized businesses in B.C., Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and New Brunswick. The IFIT program supports the adoption and scaling up of transformative technologies and products in the Canadian forest sector. The program supports projects that make the forest sector more resilient and sustainable by bridging the gap between development and commercialization of new and innovative products and processes.
Through projects like these, Canada is retooling its forest sector to go beyond traditional products into wood-based bioproducts, advanced biofuels and diversified pulp and paper products while also scaling up production of advanced building materials like mass timber. Through the Buy Canadian Policy, federal procurement is now prioritizing Canadian wood and engineered wood products, as lumber, mass timber and other advanced wood-based products are helping address the country’s housing needs while driving demand back into Canadian mills and manufacturing facilities.
“Our government is investing in industrial-scale innovation that helps mills stay in operation, support and create jobs and diversify into advanced, value-added products,” states Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson. “By ensuring Canadian forest products remain competitive, we’re building a stronger, more self-reliant forestry sector for the next generation of Canadians.”
The federal government has introduced over $2.35 billion in measures designed to protect and transform Canada’s forest sector, including the renewal of the IFIT, FIP, GCWood and GloFor programs since August 2025. This includes enhanced access to financing, liquidity supports and worker protections; and tools to help companies modernize and invest for the future.
Canada’s forest sector supports nearly 200,000 workers, and contributes more than $20 billion to the GDP. In 2024, 66 percent of Canada’s total softwood lumber production was exported, of which nearly 90 percent was exported to the U.S.
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