Cherkam might be a leader in integrating tomorrow’s technology, but today’s local economy is seeing the benefit.
Based in the Township of Cavan Monaghan, one of eight townships in Peterborough County, Cherkam is a Canadian leader in industrial automation founded in 2014 after Ahmed Kamar and James Cherrett combined their independent businesses.
Since then, the company has provided end-to-end tailored industrial automation solutions to optimize manufacturing efficiency and quality using cutting-edge technology. From automation systems to robotics integrations and custom machine designs, the company is focused on innovation and works across a range of industries including automotive, mining, food and beverage, medical, wastewater, and beyond.
With 13 employees, many of whom reside within The Kawarthas, Cherkam continues to grow and expand their services, having worked on projects across North America as well as in the Middle East and soon in Europe. Among their list of local and regional clients are AVIT Manufacturing in Peterborough, St. Mary’s Cement (mainly at the Bowmanville plant), and facilities of Magna International, which is headquartered in Aurora.
In addition to participating in the Industrial Tradeshow held in Cobourg in September, Cherkam travelled to Germany to attend Hannover Messe, one of the world’s largest trade fairs focused on industrial transformation.
To operate their business, Cherkam sources electrical parts from Guillevin, a distributor in Quebec, and Westburne, a distributor headquartered in Mississauga. For back-end supports, Cherkam is supported by Peterborough law firms LLF Lawyers and Ascend LLP.
The company also supports the local economy by guiding other entrepreneurs working in automation to develop their businesses, and supports local education by hiring Durham College co-op students.
“We think it’s important for students to get actual hands-on experience in the industry,” says Cherrett.
With 25 to 30 per cent of the company’s business being done in the U.S., Cherkam has been navigating some challenges since the U.S. election, including economic uncertainty among their American customers.
“Most of our projects are capital equipment and the first thing businesses hold off on is capital expansion,” says Kamar.
Although there is still some uncertainty about the potential impact of trade tariffs on the steel and aluminum used in robotic equipment, Cherkam’s U.S. business has begun to pick up again as American companies regain a measure of confidence in the economy.
For more information on Cherkam, visit www.cherkam.com.
The Local Advantage in Peterborough County is a branded editorial feature series about locally owned independent businesses in Peterborough County, created in partnership with Peterborough County’s Economic Development & Tourism Division.
As part of its response to the impact of U.S. tariffs, Peterborough County is showcasing the many unique businesses located in the county, both by sharing their stories of success and how they support both residents and other businesses in their communities.
Whether by shopping at local businesses, dining at local restaurants, staying at local accommodation, or enjoying local experiences, residents and visitors can enhance the economic resilience of Peterborough County during these challenging times and help establish a sustainable foundation for the future.
For more information about economic development and tourism in Peterborough County, visit www.ptbocounty.ca/ecdev and The Kawarthas Tourism at thekawarthas.ca.
