Walinga receives funding for multi-million dollar project

GUELPH/ERAMOSA – Walinga Inc. is embarking on a multi-million-dollar project to add two new products to the agri-food sector: the “milinator” and a barge unloader.

The company manufactures pneumatic conveying systems and transport equipment with an eye to supplying agri-food export markets across the globe, where over half of Walinga’s finished product ends up.

The milinator, a new product for the agri-food sector, transforms animal waste byproduct into fertilizer.

The barge unloader is, at its most basic, a vacuum used to empty bulk agricultural product from ships.

Through the Regional Development Program, Ontario trade minister Vic Fedeli announced the province is contributing $1.125 million toward the project’s $7.5 million price tag during a visit to Walinga’s Highway 6 location on June 29.

“It’s an investment in plant and equipment, as well as research and development,” Walinga CEO Butch Medemblik said of the province’s contribution.

Exactly how taxpayer dollars are being spent isn't yet decided, Medemblik said, but Walinga’s two facilities - one in Fergus and another between Fergus and Guelph - are to benefit from the cash flow.

“I think it shows that Ontario is vested in growing manufacturing; it shows a commitment to our vision and our willingness and desire to remain vested in Wellington County,” Medemblik said, mentioning the business has called the county home since its 1954 inception.

“Geared-up” and raring to go, Walinga will start work on the project within the year, he added.