Manufacturing company to bring operations, HQ and 95 skilled jobs to Port Perry

A manufacturing company established just last year but with more than a century of experience is creating new history in Scugog with a new corporate headquarters and consolidated manufacturing to be built on North Port Road, just outside Port Perry.

Tessera Group, the result of a merger of three companies in 2022 – George A. Wright & Son, Penmar Automation and MD Packaging – is moving its operations from Toronto to Scugog and bringing 95 skilled jobs with it.

The company manufactures packaging and containers with clients in the food, pharmaceutical, automotive and general manufacturing industries.

Scugog Mayor Wilma Wotten was “thrilled” to learn the company had chosen Port Perry and thanked economic development staff at the Township and Durham Region for getting it done. “This is such wonderful news for our community and we are happy to hear that the process for selecting the location was made easy due to our Township staff and Invest Durham.”

Invest Durham, the Region’s Economic Development and Tourism Division, collaborated with Scugog staff to extol the virtues of the area to Tessera Group executives.

Brett Payne, the company’s Chief Financial Officer, said the decision to build in Scugog was “made easy” by the groundwork performed by the Invest Durham team, as well as financial incentives provided through the Community Improvement Plan, a program created to encourage the development, redevelopment and revitalization of buildings and properties in neighbourhoods.

“They are clearly motivated to bring skilled trade and technology jobs within the advanced manufacturing sector to north Durham,” Payne said, adding that “building a new facility is no easy task.”

“We are really looking forward to becoming a part of the community and culture of Port Perry.”

Durham Chair John Henry said he was not surprised Tessera chose the north Durham community. “Not only does Scugog provide an ideal quality of life where you can enjoy a vibrant rural retreat with small-town charm, but it’s also an area with a skilled and educated workforce that is in demand.”

The new facility will be built at 181 North Port Road, just west of downtown Port Perry. Construction timelines have not yet been set.