VMAC chief financial officer Brent Johnston is bullish on the future, as expansion plans begin to take shape. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

VMAC

‘The intent is to continue to grow:’ innovative Nanaimo area manufacturer eyes further expansion

Jun 16, 2025 | 5:50 AM

NANAIMO — Already boasting a sizable and skilled workforce, a vital mid-Island economic driver is by no means on cruise control.

Manufacturing firm VMAC, home to 200 full-time workers located in rural Nanaimo’s South Wellington area, is gauging its future amid strong product demand.

The nearly 40-year-old company which designs and builds rotary screw and vehicle-mounted air compressors is in a period of high-demand, VMAC chief financial officer Brent Johnston told NanaimoNewsNOW during a recent site visit.

“The last seven or eight years has been like a rocket ship for growth…In the pandemic we had a bit of a dip, managed not to lay anybody off, and because of that we came out of it really strong.”

On-site construction is ongoing to expand VMAC’s footprint. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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With clients throughout North America and several international markets clamoring for VMAC products, Johnston said they have begun an on-site expansion project.

A new building, as well as on-site reconfiguration work, is aimed at boosting productivity and efficiency, Johnston said during a recent site tour.

“The intent is to continue to grow the footprint here with people because we’re going to need them, and you’re going to need the skills they bring.”

Johnston said VMAC’s workforce will expand over the next year and beyond.

“I’d expect in the next 18 to 24 months to be closer to 300 co-workers and at various levels: engineers, machinists, fabricators, you name it.”

Upgrading aging equipment is an ongoing process for VMAC, which is benefiting from provincial and federal government capital grants.

A newly installed rotor production machine, courtesy of the BC Jobs Manufacturing Grant, is vastly boosting production.

Machine operator Paul Noseworthy said they’re no longer restricted by making one unit at a time.

“I’m making eight at a time now and I’m barely keeping up with our production. If we hadn’t added it, I don’t even know what we would do, we would have to say no to people,” Noseworthy said.

Machine operator Paul Noseworthy and Brent Johnston reviewing a new digitized rotor-making machine (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

VMAC has diversified into the electric vehicle realm by partnering with a Winnipeg-based bus manufacturing company.

Parts made at a hidden industrial plant south of Nanaimo’s Duke Point Hwy. turnoff are now serving electric buses in major North American cities including Toronto, New York and Philadelphia.

While most VMAC products are exempt from the ongoing U.S. initiated tariff dispute, Johnston said steel and aluminum parts are having an impact on them and their customers bottom lines.

Despite an ever-evolving business climate, Johnston said VMAC’s trajectory is favourable.

Last week, the Regional District of Nanaimo Board unanimously endorsed rezoning two neighbouring VMAC-owned lots on Kipp Rd. totaling about 20 acres now belonging to a highly valuable industrial designation.

The re-classification, in the eyes of Johnston, will be relied upon at some point, but Johnston said it’s not clear when, citing the need to grow in a calculated fashion.

“What can we do on this existing footprint before we really start to consume these other properties? We don’t want to go at it on an ad-hoc basis.”

Amrit Manhas, City of Nanaimo Economic Development Officer, called VMAC a valued large employer and cornerstone of Nanaimo’s efforts to diversify and future-proof its economy.

Manhas told NanaimoNewsNOW VMAC is “a standout example” of contributing to economic and environmental sustainability.

“VMAC supports the kind of quality employment—engineers, tradespeople, and technical specialists—that helps build long-term economic resilience. Their expansion directly aligns with our goal of growing advanced manufacturing and tech-based industries in Nanaimo,” Manhas said in a statement.

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