Maple Ridge maker of hydroelectric piping gets $2M

A Maple Ridge-based manufacturer is being supported by the province to expand its production, create new products and hire more people.

Through the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund and the Look West strategy, the province is providing nearly $2 million to Jewel Welding Fabrication and Coatings Ltd. to increase its production capacity of hydroelectric and water-service piping used throughout British Columbia, creating as many as 45 new jobs.

Jewel specializes in large-diameter industrial pipe fabrication and coating for major water-service and hydroelectric infrastructure. Increasing the company’s capacity will reduce the company’s reliance on out-of-province suppliers and support the growing demand for clean-energy components.

“We’re happy to announce that Jewel is growing with support from the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund and expanding into a new facility,” said Chris Nudd, president and CEO, Hazelwood Group of Companies, the majority owner of Jewel. “This investment will play a key role in our development of advanced automation to improve safety for our people and reduce our reliance on imported materials. Jewel takes pride in building infrastructure for Metro Vancouver and throughout B.C.”

The investment is creating 12 new jobs in the near-term, with as many as 33 more expected within four years as the company grows its production capacity. The funding is supporting Jewel to construct a new manufacturing facility and purchase advanced manufacturing equipment, allowing it to take on larger and more complex projects in B.C.’s growing clean-energy sector.

The BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund supports high-value industrial projects in all regions of the province, helping companies modernize, grow and create stable, family-supporting jobs.

During the construction phase of these projects and in their first few years of expanded operations, the BCMJF is expected to generate $17 billion in new economic activity and $714 million in provincial revenue, and add nearly $7 billion to B.C.’s gross domestic product.

It includes delivering major projects quicker, diversifying markets and growing targeted sectors, such as technology, aerospace, marine, AI and Quantum, life sciences, agriculture and construction innovation.