Linamar Founder Frank Hasenfratz Passes Away

The auto parts manufacturer Linamar is Guelph’s biggest private employer, and according to legend, it all started in the basement of Frank Hasenfratz with a one-man machine shop in 1964. On Saturday night, it was announced that Hasenfratz, still the executive chairman of the company he started almost 60 years ago, had passed away. Continue reading “Linamar Founder Frank Hasenfratz Passes Away”

Ford Supports EVs in Guelph, Schreiner Not Impressed Though

Premier Doug Ford was in Guelph on Wednesday morning to do something that was once considered anathema to his brand, support for the development of electric vehicles. At a Linamar facility in town, Ford and Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli announced the second phases of their auto strategy to support domestic production of EVs and EV parts. Continue reading “Ford Supports EVs in Guelph, Schreiner Not Impressed Though”

Hasenfratz Avoids Losing Chancellorship at Western Despite Objections

One week after losing her spot on the Government of Ontario’s COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force due to some ill-advised travel over the holidays, Linamar CEO Linda Hasenfratz has been able to preserve at least one of the other positions. The Chair of Western University’s Board of Governors has announced that Hasenfratz will remain the chancellor of that school in what he’s calling a “teaching and learning moment.” Continue reading “Hasenfratz Avoids Losing Chancellorship at Western Despite Objections”

Hasenfratz Out of COVID Vaccine Task Force After [Gasp] Foreign Holiday Travel

If you thought we had finally smoked out all the high-profile people that broke quarantine and went abroad over the holidays. think again, and this time, there’s a Guelph connection. Linda Hasenfratz, the CEO of Guelph-based auto parts manufacturer Linamar, announced her resignation from Ontario’s COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force after a media report revealed that she enjoyed a nice, warm, and sunny vacation outside of Canada. Continue reading “Hasenfratz Out of COVID Vaccine Task Force After [Gasp] Foreign Holiday Travel”

Ford Brings $2.5 Million Cheque to Guelph for Linamar to Make Ventilators

The day after it was announced that Ontario had seen over 300 new cases of COVID-19 in a single day, Premier Doug Ford and members of his cabinet came to the Royal City with some money for a local company looking to shore up any future demands for medical equipment. Linamar, Guelph’s largest corporation, received $2.5 million from the Ontario Together Fund today to help build 10,000 new Ontario-made e700 ventilators. Continue reading “Ford Brings $2.5 Million Cheque to Guelph for Linamar to Make Ventilators”