Next Generation Manufacturing Canada said Sept. 30 that production began Sept. 23 at the Sakku Innovative Building Solutions factory in Arviat. The grand-opening ceremony was held Sept. 29. NGen says it contributed $3.4 million toward a $9-million project to install and put specialized production cells and advanced manufacturing equipment into operation.

The factory is intended to make modular homes year-round in Nunavut rather than relying entirely on southern manufacturing and short on-site construction seasons. Its stated capacity is up to 40 units a year, but that is a future capacity claim, not a count of homes completed or delivered.

Sakku and SIBS have not publicly provided a production schedule showing which communities will receive the first factory-made homes, how many homes have been ordered, their cost, or delivery dates. Atiilu News Desk should monitor for Nunavut Housing Corporation procurement records, project announcements and evidence of completed installations.

NGen says the facility is 64,500 square feet and 100% Inuit-owned. It says more than 40 full-time direct jobs and more than 100 indirect jobs are expected at full capacity, and that about 93% of the workforce is Inuit. These are organizational claims and expectations. Nunatsiaq News separately reported that SIBS officials said the factory was initially operating at 60% capacity and was making components for nine three-bedroom homes, but Atiilu News Desk did not find an original public record confirming those more specific production and delivery details.