Pipe maker Ipex opens Ontario R&D facility

The $30-million facility in Mississauga features over 50,000 square feet of operational space.

Ipex staff and Ontario Premier Doug Ford (ninth from right) at the opening of the new Ipex Centre for Advanced Research. Photo Credit: Ipex Group

Oakville, Ont.-based pipe manufacturer Ipex Group has officially opened its Can$30-million Ipex Centre for Advanced Research in nearby Mississauga, described as a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to accelerating product innovation and reinforcing the company’s manufacturing operations across North America.

In an April 9 statement, Ipex officials said the innovation hub “will serve as a creative and collaborative space to accelerate the development of cutting-edge, safe and reliable piping solutions to address infrastructure needs across municipal, industrial, commercial, and residential sectors.”

The facility features over 50,000 square feet of operational space for testing and developing new products, trialing new material formulations, office space, and a training and collaboration area.

Ipex will employ advanced technologies, including 3D printing and artificial intelligence to further streamline product development.

“Our new innovation hub is a significant investment in our ability to develop high-quality, safe and easy to install products that meet the needs of our customers, while supporting our communities” said Ipex CEO Alex Mestres. “For more than 50 years, our R&D teams have collaborated closely with our customers to stay ahead of market demands, evolving regulations and environmental changes to develop products and exceed industry expectations. Our new Centre for Advanced Research marks a new chapter in our innovation history and capability.”

“We’ve seen how our investments in innovation solve infrastructure challenges and have transformational impacts to the industry,” added Trevor Johnston, vice president of R&D, innovation and sustainability. “As demand for custom solutions grow, our development and testing processes allow us to accelerate our innovation, look for new ways to design and build products that adapt to industry changes.” 

Ipex produces piping systems for the municipal, irrigation, industrial, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and telecommunication markets from mostly PVC but also other materials. Ipex has 13 manufacturing facilities in North America, and is owned by parent company Aliaxis SA in Brussels.