EllisDon to execute massive EV factory in Ontario

Key Takeaways:

• PowerCo Canada has appointed EllisDon as general contractor to execute structural and core infrastructure builds at its St. Thomas battery gigafactory.
• The facility’s operational target date has been adjusted to 2029 to accommodate next-generation cell technology and align production capacity with global market demand.
• On-site construction personnel will scale from an initial 60 workers to a peak construction workforce of roughly 1,300 tradespeople.

The Whole Story:

PowerCo Canada, the battery manufacturing subsidiary of Volkswagen Group, has appointed EllisDon as general contractor for its EV battery gigafactory in St. Thomas, Ontario. The contract covers the core infrastructure and structural development phases for the facility, where site preparation has been underway since groundbreaking in 2025.

EllisDon will oversee the construction of the primary production-building shell, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing installations, utility connections, and supporting site infrastructure. An initial crew of 60 EllisDon employees is currently active on site, with workforce numbers expected to scale up to approximately 1,300 trade workers at peak activity.

Concurrently, PowerCo announced a strategic realignment of the plant’s operational timeline. Originally targeted to begin producing battery cells sooner, operational startup has been adjusted to 2029. The revised schedule allows the company to integrate next-generation battery technology and match production pacing with shifting EV market demand and Volkswagen’s long-term North American platform strategy.

“Today’s announcement is an important step forward for St. Thomas,” said Joel Karlsberg, Chief Procurement Officer at PowerCo Canada. “Partnering with EllisDon allows us to keep construction moving while ensuring we retain the flexibility to scale the facility in line with market demand and long-term industry evolution. The St. Thomas gigafactory remains a cornerstone of our North American strategy. We are continuing to build now while determining how and when the facility scales over time.”

Max Mantha, President of Construction at EllisDon, emphasized the project’s regional industrial impact: “As a Canadian-headquartered, employee-owned company, we are committed to building the infrastructure that will help support Canada’s growing electric vehicle and battery manufacturing sector. This project will create opportunities for skilled tradespeople, local businesses, and communities across southwestern Ontario.”

Once fully built out, the multi-billion-dollar St. Thomas facility represents one of the largest industrial investments in Canadian history, designed to eventually support up to 3,000 direct operational jobs and supply batteries for up to one million electric vehicles annually.