45Drives, a leading provider of enterprise data storage and virtual compute solutions, has expanded its Canadian operations with a new office in the Kitchener-Waterloo region of Ontario. This strategic move reinforces the company's commitment to investing in Canadian innovation, advanced manufacturing, and high-growth technology sectors. As a subsidiary of the Protocase Companies, 45Drives' expansion represents a significant milestone in its continued growth and the parent company's long-standing dedication to Canadian economic development.
The new Kitchener-Waterloo office will be shared with parent company Protocase, which specializes in manufacturing custom electronic enclosures and precision parts for mission-critical industries including aerospace, defense, advanced computing, and emerging technologies. The Protocase Companies, founded in Canada, have grown into a cross-border organization employing nearly 600 people across Canada and the United States while maintaining deep roots in Canadian engineering, manufacturing, and research and development excellence. An official grand opening celebration will take place on Tuesday, January 13, at 3:00 p.m., at the 45Drives headquarters within Catalyst Commons Limited Partnership, located at 137 Glasgow Street, Kitchener, ON, N2G 4X8.
The Kitchener-Waterloo area holds particular significance for 45Drives, as President and Co-Founder Dr. Douglas Milburn earned his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Waterloo. This establishes deep personal and professional ties to the region's globally recognized academic and technology communities. "The Protocase Companies were founded in Canada, and that heritage continues to shape how we build, invest, and grow," said Dr. Milburn. "Establishing a stronger presence in Kitchener-Waterloo is both a strategic decision and a personal one. This region is a powerhouse for engineering and innovation, and expanding here strengthens our ability to serve enterprise and government customers nationwide while creating high-quality jobs and deepening our investment in Canadian talent."
As an inherently Canadian company within the Protocase Companies portfolio, 45Drives designs and manufactures solutions that prioritize transparency, security, and performance for mission-critical enterprise and government environments. The new Kitchener-Waterloo office will enhance the company's national reach, accelerate collaboration across engineering and manufacturing teams, and support continued economic growth through regional hiring and long-term investment. This expansion is particularly important as it demonstrates how Canadian technology companies are investing in domestic talent and infrastructure rather than outsourcing abroad, strengthening the country's position in the global technology landscape. The move also highlights the strategic importance of the Kitchener-Waterloo technology corridor, which continues to attract significant investment from established companies seeking to leverage the region's engineering talent and innovation ecosystem. For more information about the company's operations, visit https://www.newmediawire.com.
