Petrolia, ON – Kinell Canada, part of the French industrial Fétis Group and a global innovation partner to manufacturers in the off-highway, special vehicle, marine, and distributed energy sectors, has officially opened its first North American facility in Petrolia, Ontario.
Located at 260 Centre Street, the new facility represents a significant milestone for Kinell as it expands its global operations into Canada for the first time and is expected to create 15 new jobs within its first year. A grand opening event was held on July 9, 2025, to celebrate the company’s continued growth and its commitment to supporting local economic development.
Kinell specializes in the design and manufacturing of wiring harnesses, cables, and box builds for specialty mobile equipment. The company brings more than 20 years of experience helping original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) across Europe accelerate innovation, reduce their environmental footprint, and enhance system performance. In Petrolia, Kinell has invested in new automation equipment and proprietary software to efficiently manage high-complexity, high-mix projects for OEMs across North America.
“Kinell’s expansion into North America represents a key step in the company’s journey to provide a comprehensive ecosystem of solutions for electrification and system automation,” said Mike Bos, General Manager, Kinell Canada. “Our commitment to innovation will help equipment manufacturers in North America accelerate their development of next-generation machines and systems. This new facility also represents an exciting opportunity to create local jobs and contribute to the growth of Lambton County.”
“We are very pleased to welcome Kinell Canada to Petrolia,” said Mayor Brad Loosley, Mayor of the Town of Petrolia. “The addition of this new facility strengthens our town’s manufacturing sector and brings new opportunities for our residents. We look forward to seeing their continued success in our community.”
Kinell’s presence in Petrolia strengthens Sarnia-Lambton’s reputation as a hub for advanced manufacturing and innovation. In addition to creating jobs, Kinell brings new technical expertise to the region and opportunities for collaboration with local suppliers, training institutions, and research organizations. The company’s focus on low-carbon technologies and next-generation systems aligns with Sarnia-Lambton’s goals for sustainable and future-focused economic growth.
Matthew Slotwinski, Chief Executive Officer of the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership, welcomed Kinell’s investment in the region. “The opening of Kinell’s first North American facility in Petrolia reflects the strength of our local manufacturing sector and the opportunities for growth in advanced manufacturing,” said Slotwinski. “Kinell brings valuable expertise that will contribute to the diversification of our economy and support the continued growth of innovation-driven industries here in Sarnia-Lambton. This investment reinforces our region’s position as a competitive location for companies at the forefront of electrification, automation, and system integration technologies.”
About Kinell Canada:
Kinell is an innovation partner for equipment manufacturers across the off-highway, special vehicle, marine, and distributed energy sectors. As part of the French industrial Fétis Group, Kinell combines mechanical, electrical, software, and control-command expertise to support the transition toward low-carbon and autonomous technologies. With operations in France, Germany, Spain, and now Canada, the company brings over 20 years of experience in successfully supporting OEMs across Europe in accelerating innovation, reducing their environmental footprint, and boosting system performance. Visit https://gokinell.com/ to learn more.
About the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership:
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership (SLEP) is the lead economic development agency for the Sarnia-Lambton area. Funded by the County of Lambton, we focus on promoting the distinct advantages Sarnia-Lambton proudly offers companies and residents. By coordinating community-based economic development initiatives and maintaining a commercially attractive environment, we foster new business creation, help ensure that established firms remain and grow here, and work to attract growing businesses to the Sarnia-Lambton area.
For Media Inquiries:
Arianne Garcia
Marketing & Communications Manager
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
(519) 332 1820 ext 225
arianne@sarnialambton.on.ca
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