The Cavendish Farms manufacturing plant in Lethbridge. (Image Credit: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Manufacturing in Lethbridge region generates $4.2B annually

Feb 19, 2026 | 2:43 PM

A new report is shining a spotlight on the significance of the local manufacturing industry.

Derek Murray Consulting & Associates completed an economic analysis of the sector for Economic Development Lethbridge (EDL).

Mike Prociw, EDL’s Workforce Program Manager, says it reaffirms that manufacturing is a key driver of employment, export activity, and provincial economic output in the region.

“Manufacturing is a huge economic driver in Lethbridge and Southern Alberta, and this study helps quantify the impact the sector has in our region,” says Prociw. “It also substantiates the notion that uncertainty or policy changes that threaten the viability of this sector could have significant local ramifications given the multiplier impacts generated by this industry.”

The report looks at manufacturing activity in the Lethbridge Census Metropolitan Area (CMA), which includes the City of Lethbridge, Lethbridge County, Coaldale, Coalhurst, Nobleford, Barons and Picture Butte.

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A total of 8,200 people in the Lethbridge CMA are directly employed at 126 companies, making up 12.7 per cent of the local workforce.

Approximately half of those jobs are in food manufacturing, representing nearly 20 per cent of the province’s entire food processing workforce.

It also supports 11,316 jobs across the province and 32,497 in Canada.

The sector is diverse locally, encompassing businesses like aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney, modular home builder Triple M Housing, agri-food plants such as Cavendish, along with Flexahopper Plastics, Lethbridge Iron Works and more.

“Because of that diversity, the local sector is less exposed to a single commodity risk; downturns in one sub-segment may be offset by strength in others,” reads the report.

Manufacturing in the Lethbridge CMA contributes about $4.2 billion every year to Alberta’s gross domestic product, including nearly $3 billion from food manufacturing.

More than 70 per cent of exports from the Lethbridge CMA are generated by manufacturing, totalling around $1.6 billion every year.

The local industry generated more than $1.1 billion in tax revenues annually for local, provincial and federal governments.

Ben Authier of Corteva, a member of the Lethbridge Manufacturing Association, says the data uncovered in this study underscores the importance of manufacturing to the local economy and how companies can be well-positioned for success.

“Working with other manufacturers in the area through the Lethbridge Manufacturing Association allows companies to address industry needs and identify opportunities that can help ensure the sustained prosperity of manufacturing in the Lethbridge area,” says Authier.

You can read the full report at ChooseLethbridge.ca