Brampton-based armoured vehicle maker Roshel has outgrown its 400,000 square feet of manufacturing, research and development space.
The ten-year-old company has become the leading supplier of Light Utility Vehicles (LUVs) to Ukraine and several NATO nations, including the U. S., Germany, the UK, and France. It’s also competing for a multi-billion-dollar contract with the federal government.
However, they need more space-around two million square feet.
“We know that many automotive companies have left Canada, and that’s where defence can step in and bring thousands of jobs back, including in Brampton,” says Roman Shimonov, CEO of Roshel.
“We have facilities that are currently empty, and we’re playing a key role in ensuring that a Canadian company can support Canadian families-that’s exactly what we’re doing at Roshel,” Shimonov explains. “We’re hiring hundreds of workers. We can start bringing on thousands if we win this contract.”
This contract involves producing 1,600-2,100 vehicles along with 400-500 light utility trailers. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that bidding is limited to Canadian firms and has narrowed it down to two contenders.
City News has learned that Roshel is still in the running.
Shimonov states that to manage an order of this size, they’d need to hire hundreds more staff before the year ends and require nearly ready facilities for production. The Stellantis plant seems like a good match for their needs.
The plant has been mostly idle since 2023 when the last vehicle was produced. Most of its workforce of 3,000 was laid off after Jeep Compass production was moved to Illinois, with no new programs planned for Brampton.
Earlier this year, Brampton City Council changed zoning laws to “automotive manufacturing only,” aiming to protect those jobs by preventing Stellantis from selling or leasing land to non-automotive businesses.
When asked if Stellantis plans to sell the land to another manufacturer, spokesperson Lou Anne Gosselin replied, “Stellantis remains focused on finding a sustainable future for Brampton assembly. We are engaged in constructive discussions with government partners and other stakeholders to help establish the conditions needed to support that objective.”
“We are in a collective agreement with Stellantis,” says Vito Beato, President of Unifor 1285 representing Brampton Stellantis workers. “We’re close to bargaining. We won’t let Stellantis abandon us. We’re going into negotiations focused on getting answers for Brampton residents and getting our members back into work.”
“I’ve been hearing from Stellantis that it might not be until 2031 before they return operations here; that’s unacceptable,” says Mayor Patrick Brown of Brampton. “I think the Government of Canada needs to hold Stellantis accountable for their legal obligations after receiving millions in subsidies.”
Stellantis received over $200 million from federal funding aimed at supporting electric vehicle production at their Brampton facility.
“That said, I want these workers back on the job immediately wherever it may be; I hope we can talk with Unifor as well as both Stellantis and Roshel about creating more good-paying jobs in our community,” Brown adds. “And I hope those jobs will be Unifor positions.”
Roshel isn’t surprised by Brown’s support. Last month during a city council meeting in Brampton there was unanimous approval for backing Roshel’s bid to provide new armoured vehicles for Canadian Armed Forces.
Shimonov believes if they secure this contract-expected potentially worth up to $6 billion-they can help create an environment attractive enough for other defence manufacturers considering setting up nearby. Recently they formed a partnership with Algoma Steel located in Sault Ste. Marie where they’re building a ballistic steel manufacturing facility “which will allow us independence regarding critical supplies.”
A decision about the LUV contract is anticipated within weeks ahead.
“We’re planning on beginning deliveries by 2026 which is quite challenging; but there’s no one else who can commit like we do,” Shimonov claims. “We’re truly unique-not just within Canada but globally-in being able start deliveries this year.”
“We cannot afford waiting until we get awarded; definitely we’re not just idly searching (for property),” he mentions while implying initial discussions regarding real estate have already kicked off.”
Roshel armoured vehicles are seen at the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries annual defence industry trade show CANSEC, in Ottawa, on Wednesday May 28 ,2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang Keep it Factual
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