A Manitoba manufacturer is bringing more of its production home and looking to new markets as changing Canada-U.S. trade conditions put additional pressure on Prairie businesses.
Atom-Jet Industries will expand its Brandon manufacturing facility and increase direct sales in Canada and Australia with support from a $1 million federal investment through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI).
The investment comes as new U.S. tariffs create challenges for Canadian companies that have traditionally relied on cross-border markets, customers and supply chains. For Atom-Jet, the response is focused on reducing costs, improving efficiency and becoming less dependent on U.S.-linked business.
“The Canada-U.S. trading relationship has changed dramatically, and Canadian businesses are responding by strengthening domestic supply chains, diversifying markets, and investing in their long-term competitiveness. Atom-Jet Industries is a strong example of that leadership, bringing more production in-house and expanding into new markets. Through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative, our government is helping businesses make the investments they need to adapt, create good jobs, and build a stronger, more resilient Canadian economy,” said the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada.
The funding will support a 4,000-square-foot expansion of Atom-Jet’s Brandon facility, allowing the manufacturer to bring powder coating and sandblasting operations in-house. The move is expected to reduce production costs and lead times while increasing the company’s overall production capacity.
At the same time, Atom-Jet plans to expand direct-to-customer sales in Canada and Australia, diversifying its customer base and reducing its reliance on original equipment manufacturer customers and the U.S. market.
“Atom-Jet is doing what Prairie businesses do best: adapting, investing and finding new opportunities. By bringing more production home to Brandon and reaching new customers across Canada, the company is becoming more resilient in a chancing trade environment. We’re proud to support businesses like Atom-Jet as they respond to tariff pressures, diversify their markets and create the conditions for long-term growth,” said Ginette Lavack, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services and Member of Parliament for St. Boniface–St. Vital.
The investment is part of a broader federal response to tariff-related pressures on Canadian businesses. On August 25, 2026, the Government of Canada announced an additional $1.5 billion through the RTRI to help tariff-affected small and medium-sized businesses address liquidity concerns, diversify markets, improve productivity, reduce costs and strengthen domestic supply chains.
For Atom-Jet, the expansion fits into a longer-term strategy to grow beyond its existing markets while investing in new production capabilities.
“Atom-Jet is privileged to be part of the initiatives and funding PrairiesCan has put forward. Atom-Jet’s goal is to grow nationally and globally, adding new equipment and technology is a major part of our strategy, and it is great to have the support and same mindset from our federal government by way of PrairiesCan,” said Barry LaRocque, Owner & President, Atom-Jet Industries.
