What are the 10 Biggest Manufacturing Companies in Waterloo?

Did you know that some of the world’s best-known manufacturers are located in Waterloo Region?

Waterloo attracts both multinational and Canadian companies from the technology, automotive, and advanced manufacturing industries due to nurturing a culture that values innovation and collaboration.

It also helps that our community is the heart of Canada’s most productive manufacturing cluster, within close proximity of thousands of manufacturers and hundreds of thousands of manufacturing workers.

Here are some of the top manufacturing companies within the Waterloo community.

Our community is home to three cities and four townships. We have identified the community where you’ll find each of these companies in parentheses below. Together, we are known as Waterloo.

1. Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc. (TMMC)

Waterloo is home to one of Toyota’s largest North American manufacturing plants (Cambridge), responsible for building models such as the luxurious Lexus NX and the best-selling RAV4, as well as hybrid versions of both.

In fact, our Toyota plant was the first facility outside Japan trusted to manufacture Lexus products. The automotive company has 8,500 team members in Cambridge – a community within Waterloo – and Woodstock.

The Cambridge plant has won 24 J.D. Power Awards, the most of any single facility in North America. TMMC is now tied for the most awarded automotive manufacturing plant in the world.

2. ATS Corporation

ATS Corporation (Cambridge), designs and develops factory automation machinery and equipment for “many of the world’s most successful companies.” Klaus Woerner founded ATS Automation locally in 1978 and went on to build a global manufacturing empire.

The company, which continues to show strong commitment to innovation and their team members, has more than 65 manufacturing locations and 85 offices on four continents, but their headquarters is still in our community.

3. BWX Technologies (BWXT)

Fun fact: In 1867, founder, Stephen Wilcox, began to produce a water tube boiler that was later claimed by Thomas Edison to be the best boiler in the market. 100 years later, BWXT switched from manufacturing water tube boilers to becoming a key supplier in providing the US government with nuclear energy components and fuel.

Currently, BWXT (Cambridge) is the only privately-owned facility in the US producing TRISO fuel and has locations across the world, including its Canadian HQ in our community.

4. Dare Foods Limited

Bear Paws, Breton, Whippet, Wagon Wheels … hungry yet? These are just a few of the delicious cookies and snacks produced by the proudly Canadian-owned manufacturer Dare Foods Limited (Kitchener/Cambridge).

In 1889, Charles H. Doer, the founder of Dare foods, sold cookies and candies at his grocery store. His treats were so popular that he was able to expand across our community in 1919 before becoming a household name around the world. Since 2002 they have been the sole producer of Girl Guide cookies.

The company has operations in two of Waterloo’s communities, Kitchener and Cambridge.

5. DESCH

DESCH (Cambridge) began as a German owner-operated family company more than 100 years ago and is now a global company specializing in advanced mechanical and plant engineering, serving the oil and gas, construction, mining, and marine industries. The company has operated in the Waterloo region for 40 years, celebrating the milestone in 2026.

During its four decades in our community, DESCH’s operations have grown significantly, including a $12.6M expansion in 2018. Locating in Waterloo has helped DESCH access the North American market and access Canada’s top technical talent.

6. Christie Digital Systems Inc.

Christie Digital (Kitchener) is a a global audio and visual technologies company. The company’s Canadian headquarters are located in our region, and include a centre of excellence for engineering and manufacturing.

7. Krug Inc.

Have you ever sat in waiting room furniture that was so comfortable you wanted to take it home? It might have been made by Krug (Kitchener). Headquartered in our community, Krug is a Canadian-owned business that offers a wide range of furniture for offices and health services.

As leaders in healthcare furnishing, the company takes pride in their well-made designs and workmanship. Established in 1880, Krug is a well-recognized brand for quality and, in the past, has designed furniture for expensive Canadian hotels. They have even supplied furniture to the British Crown!

8. PepsiCo

PepsiCo (Cambridge), a global snack and beverage leader, runs significant manufacturing operations in our community under the Frito-lay brand. Over the years, the multinational’s facilities have undergone several expansion and improvements, including a multimillion-dollar, 144,000-square-foot finished-product warehouse in 2017.

9. Eclipse Automation

Recognized as one of Canada’s fastest growing companies, Eclipse Automation (Cambridge) manufactures custom automation systems for multinational companies to improve their operations. Their success is due to inspired engineering that strives to leave a mark in this world. With operations in Canada, USA and Europe, the company remains deeply rooted in Waterloo, drawn by our region’s top-tier engineering talent, collaborative ecosystem, strong manufacturing legacy and robust supply chain networks.

A robotic arm at Eclipse Automation’s local operations

10. Teledyne DALSA

Teledyne Dalsa (Waterloo) designs, engineers and produces digital imaging and sensor products for a variety of industries including the medical, science and transportation sectors. With over 30 years of experience, this manufacturing powerhouse has become a well-recognized name for their leading-edge innovation and R&D efforts.