Enbridge Gas Ontario and the Town of Whitby have awarded a $25,000 grant to long-time Whitby manufacturer North American Steel to help it reduce natural gas use, lower operating costs, and improve efficiency at its local facility.
North American Steel is the inaugural winner of the town’s first Industrial Energy Challenge – a pilot program designed to support practical projects that help local industrial businesses reduce natural gas use while improving efficiency and competitiveness.
The company has operated in Whitby since 1972 and manufactures steel racking systems at its local facility. As part of that process, racks are powder-coated and placed in large industrial ovens to dry and cure the finish. Together, the drying and curing process accounts for some 90 per cent of the company’s natural gas use.
Through the grant funding, North American Steel will install air curtains at the entrance and exit of its dry-off oven. The air curtains will help keep heat inside the oven and remove excess water from the steel before it enters, reducing the amount of natural gas used by up to about seven per cent each year.
The winning project is expected to be completed in early-2027.
Val Picher of Enbridge Gas said: “The Industrial Energy Challenge showcases the power of collaboration in creating practical energy solutions that benefit both businesses and communities. We’re proud to partner with the Town of Whitby to support North American Steel’s project, which will improve energy efficiency and strengthen operational performance. By investing in innovative projects like this, we’re helping local businesses reduce costs, enhance competitiveness and contribute to a more sustainable future.”
Mayor Roy of Whitby said:“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. Thank you to Enbridge Gas for partnering with us on this initiative, and to North American Steel for continuing to invest, innovate and grow here in Whitby.”
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