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MoveMobility\u2019s new headquarters at CentrePort Canada at 160 Wheatfield Rd.<\/p>\n
MoveMobility has retrofitted commercial wheelchair-accessible vehicles in the area for at least 15 years.<\/p>\n
It became bloated with demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, not for its usual offering, McDonald said \u2014 many transport programs and community outings halted as Canadians were told to stay home. That demand dropped.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we heard from a number of \u2026 communities was, given the fact that people were isolating, some people were worried to seek health care,\u201d McDonald said. \u201cWe heard a lot of people say, \u2018It\u2019d be great if we could bring health care out into our community.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
MoveMobility turned to medical vans, or what McDonald described as \u201ca doctor\u2019s office on wheels.\u201d<\/p>\n
The company began making mobile health vehicles outfitted with exam tables and seating areas. It shipped its products throughout Canada, to client municipalities, First Nations and health regions.<\/p>\n
Van options now include counselling and harm-reduction models, among others. Counselling-focused vehicles, for example, may include a table and comfortable chairs.<\/p>\n
McDonald estimates four vans are retrofitted weekly. MoveMobility also ships to the United States.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are really driven by \u2026 continuous innovation and improving lives for people,\u201d McDonald said.<\/p>\n
The company has been working to expand into the Type 2 ambulance sector (van-based ambulances). Earlier this month, Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham issued a statement calling for more funding for ambulances and full-time paramedics.<\/p>\n
MoveMobility appears to be the only Manitoba firm building ambulances, McDonald noted.<\/p>\n
However, MoveMobility\u2019s space at 465 Lucas Ave. \u2014 17,085 sq. ft. \u2014 was too small. The company had already expanded the facility in 2021, McDonald said.<\/p>\n
Government funding for a new site has come over the past two years: $1.3 million and $1.1 million, respectively, from Manitoba and the feds.<\/p>\n
MoveMobility\u2019s Lucas Avenue site will be available for lease starting July 1.<\/p>\n
McDonald didn\u2019t have a timeline for when ambulance production will begin at 160 Wheatfield Rd. Staff are working on the production space, she said, adding they\u2019ve finished at least one prototype.<\/p>\n
MoveMobility Type 2 ambulances have been approved for use in Ontario. They haven\u2019t been approved in Manitoba. The company has faced hurdles with provincial regulations<\/a>; Manitoba generally uses larger Type 3s.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the business keeps adding staff. McDonald joined the team in 2018; she thinks she was employee No. 19.<\/p>\n MoveMobility now counts around 65 workers. Two business development staff started on Monday. A couple weeks ago, another handful began.<\/p>\n The expansion could create 44 new jobs overall, including for welders and engineers.<\/p>\n CentrePort Canada has clocked a growth in specialty vehicle manufacturing, said president Carly Edmundson.<\/p>\n Fort Garry Fire Trucks increased its production space by roughly 30 per cent, it announced in December. It\u2019s headquartered in the trimodal port. It said it would spend more than $4 million on new equipment and production.<\/p>\n Manitoba\u2019s aerospace industry \u2014 Magellan Aerospace, Boeing \u2014 has also trumpeted multimillion-dollar expansions in the past months.<\/p>\n \n\t\tWinnipeg Free Press | Newsletter\n\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t \u201cIt\u2019s really showing the strength of the Manitoba manufacturing sector,\u201d Edmundson said.<\/p>\n Rosser Reeve Ken Mulligan called MoveMobility\u2019s expansion \u201cnothing but good.\u201d<\/p>\n CentrePort Canada services road, rail and air transport. It spans 20,000 acres over the Rosser and Winnipeg jurisdictions.<\/p>\n Rosser consumes roughly 12,000 acres. About one-third of the developable land is still open, Mulligan said.<\/p>\n gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t Gabrielle Pich\u00e9 Gabrielle Pich\u00e9 reports on business for the Free Press. She interned at the Free Press and worked for its sister outlet, Canstar Community News, before entering the business beat in 2021. Read more about Gabrielle<\/a>.<\/p>\n Every piece of reporting Gabrielle produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print \u2014 part of the Free Press\u2018s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press\u2019s history and mandate<\/a>, and learn how our newsroom operates<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Reporter
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