At the end of August, PhiBer Manufacturing Inc. announced it had been selected for funding through the PrairiesCan Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) program, a Government of Canada initiative supporting high-growth companies across the Prairies.
This investment will help PhiBer strengthen its advanced manufacturing capabilities, accelerate the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, and create meaningful new job opportunities in rural Manitoba.
In early June PhiBer broke ground on a new expansion project to increase their production line by constructing a new 60,000 sq ft building. Through the Federal BSP program, they'll be able to source the equipment and machining faster and more efficiently than was first expected.
“The funding we received from PrairiesCan has enabled us to accelerate PhiBer’s growth in many ways,” said Derek Friesen, CEO of PhiBer Manufacturing. “We shortened our timeline on the acquisition of advanced manufacturing equipment, brought more production in-house, and expanded our ability to support Canadian farmers—all while creating new revenue streams and jobs in our community.”
As part of the announcement, The Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister for PrairiesCan, stated at the time that the federal government is making targeted investments in Manitoba’s manufacturing sector to “help businesses expand, improve productivity, and remain competitive on the global stage.” She added that, “By supporting innovative companies like PhiBer, we’re helping to create high-quality jobs and strengthen local economies across the Prairies.”
Leading Innovation in Canadian Ag Manufacturing
As part of its 60,000 sq. ft. expansion, PhiBer is investing in advanced manufacturing equipment, robotics, automation, and sustainable infrastructure.
Current developments include:
- · The largest roto-moulding equipment in Canada to produce plastic tanks in-house
- · In-house 3D printing for custom tools and parts
- · AI-integrated one-piece flow systems for streamlined manufacturing and accurate order fulfillment
- · Energy capture and recycling systems designed by PhiBer engineers and Manitoba-based contractors
These advancements not only improve operational performance but also support the company’s long-standing commitment to innovation and sustainability.
Precision and Speed: Prairie-Built Innovation for Crop Care Efficiency
Phiber Manufacturing offers a wide range of products, but according to CEO Derek Friesen, their standout innovation is the sprayer fill system—a fast and efficient method for managing the various crop care products farmers need to apply. Developed specifically for the Prairies, where application windows are often narrow, the system ensures accurate mixing and ratio control, helping producers apply treatments quickly and precisely to maximize crop health and yield.
Job Creation in the Heart of the Prairies
Over the next three years, PhiBer expects to hire more than 80 new employees at its Crystal City, Manitoba facility:
- · 20+ highly skilled roles in engineering, robotics, and operations
- · 60+ additional positions supported by PhiBer’s in-house training programs
“Training has always been a top priority for our leadership team,” added Friesen. “We believe in building not just machines—but people, skills, and strong rural communities.”
Building community includes building the PhiBer family in a variety of ways. As the new building was being constructed, they took one of the big beams and painted it orange, the branding color of PhiBer products.
"And everybody who was employed here, we had them sign it," explains Friesen, "and then we put it up in the building kind of as a marker in time, like, here are all the people that helped us get to where we're at today... just to kind of have a time stamp, so to say. It's kind of a neat thing for our staff!"
