Late last month, L3 WESCAM broke ground on its new state-of-the-art headquarters in Hamilton, Ontario. At 330,000 square feet, the facility is one of the largest corporate head office investments in the city in a generation and will house 1,200 highly-skilled workers.

“We are pleased to announce that L3 will continue to be a part of this region’s economic renaissance and has selected a location that embodies our mission to be the very best of the best in our industry,” said Jacques Comtois, Vice President and General Manager of L3 WESCAM. “Hamilton has a rich business legacy of transforming ideas into high-technology products and offers a skilled talent base with a deep knowledge of advanced manufacturing and applied research. We are thrilled to establish our new operations in Hamilton and continue moving forward with our growth plans.”

“This is one of the largest corporate head office investments in Hamilton in over a generation,” said City of Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger. “The scale of high-paying jobs, the impressive talent working within the company and the global presence of L3 certainly raise Hamilton’s tech profile significantly on a national and international scale. The company’s sheer presence and global reputation are proof that Hamilton is a home for innovation and can accommodate tech investments of the highest calibre.”

Hamilton offers one of Canada’s strongest, most diversified economies, according to the Conference Board of Canada and Hamilton Economic Development.

WESCAM’s story started in Hamilton over 40 years ago when a team within Westinghouse formed concepts of a stabilized camera.  John “Nox” Leavitt, a senior engineer with the company, led his team in inventing a stabilized camera mount dubbed “Wesscam” (Westinghouse Steered Stabilized Camera Mount.)

Today, WESCAM joins other innovation leaders, like Stryker Canada, in locating in Ward 15 in Hamilton. The benefits of this location for business include proximity to two major airports, John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport, Lester B. Pearson International Airport in Toronto, rail and the trucking corridor.

The new location in Flamborough is within a 30-minute commute for 70% of WESCAM’s employees. WESCAM’s workforce has grown 60% in the last three years, and the company currently employs over 1,100 with predominantly STEM backgrounds. The new facility is designed to encourage collaborative teamwork and cross-functional efficiencies by providing flexible work spaces, including project spaces and quiet rooms.