Whitby Manufacturer Wins $25,000 Grant to Cut Natural Gas Use at Local Facility

A longtime Whitby manufacturer has received a $25,000 grant from the Town of Whitby and Enbridge Gas Ontario to reduce natural gas use and lower operating costs at its local facility.

North American Steel, which makes steel racking systems in Whitby, is the inaugural winner of the Town's first Industrial Energy Challenge, a pilot program the Town says is designed to fund practical projects that help local industrial businesses cut natural gas use while improving efficiency and competitiveness.

Ovens drive nearly all of the company's gas use

As part of its manufacturing process, North American Steel powder coats its racks and then places them in large industrial ovens to dry and cure the finish. According to the Town, that drying and curing stage accounts for roughly 90 per cent of the company's natural gas consumption.

The grant will fund the installation of air curtains at the entrance and exit of the company's dry-off oven. The curtains are expected to keep heat inside the oven and remove excess water from the steel before it enters, cutting natural gas use by up to about seven per cent each year.

This is the kind of investment that delivers benefits on several fronts. It helps a local business reduce costs and become more efficient, while also supporting our broader goals for a strong economy and a more sustainable Whitby.

Enbridge Gas Ontario said the program shows what collaboration can achieve. "The Industrial Energy Challenge showcases the power of collaboration in creating practical energy solutions that benefit both businesses and communities," Val Picher, Director of Municipal and Stakeholder Engagement at Enbridge Gas Ontario, said in the announcement. "By investing in innovative projects like this, we're helping local businesses reduce costs, enhance competitiveness and contribute to a more sustainable future."

The company itself welcomed the recognition. "North American Steel is a proud member of the Whitby Business Community and we are honored to receive this award," Stosh Fabricius, VP of Corporate Development at North American Steel, said. "We appreciate the support of the town and companies such as Enbridge Gas that are willing to support local businesses in their efforts to innovate and grow in a sustainable way."

The Town credited Enbridge Gas for partnering on the initiative and thanked the company for continuing to invest and grow locally. Residents can learn more about the Town's sustainability efforts at whitby.ca/Sustainability.