www.vitalis.ca

By Connor Chan

greener future

Local company opens doors to greener future with new Kelowna facility

May 3, 2025 | 12:00 PM

At a time when climate action and economic growth must go hand in hand, one Okanagan-based company is proving what’s possible.

Vitalis celebrated the grand opening of its new 25,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility this week at 3,488 Velocity Avenue in Kelowna, doubling the company’s production capacity for high-efficiency chillers, heat pumps, and refrigeration systems.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday drew industry and community leaders, including the Honourable Wendy Cocchia, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia; Kelowna MP-elect Stephen Fuhr; Central Okanagan Regional District Chair Loyal Wooldridge; Mayor Tom Dyas; and Vitalis President James Seabrook.

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“Kelowna has a wide variety of very skilled and talented companies,” Seabrook said. “With the names of KF Aerospace and Jealous Fruits and all the other businesses that operate here and share our values and creating economic growth and prosperity is exciting and enlightening.”

The facility will create over 50 skilled jobs, helping to anchor the Okanagan’s growing cleantech sector.

Seabrook said Kelowna’s combination of livability, talent, and access to markets has played a key role in Vitalis’ growth.

“We’re able to attract a lot of talent here. People love living in the Okanagan, and we have great resources,” he said. “As the university has grown, we’ve brought in new technology, new professors, new students — people who want to create change and are highly engaged.”

Vitalis also highlighted its partnership with UBC Okanagan on a campus decarbonization project. The facility will house a 1.5 MW R744 air-source heat pump — the largest of its kind in North America — currently being commissioned to support the university’s climate goals.

Despite global challenges, Seabrook said he feels optimistic about what lies ahead.
“I feel very positive. We build a variety of different products in many industries. One of them that we’re very excited about is, decarbonization and the ability to help communities or help facilities adopt technology that is better for the environment. And that, I think, helps all of us in the future,” he said.

“Vitalis’ commitment to innovation, sustainability, and local job creation embodies the values that will drive B.C.’s future success,” said Cocchia, the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia. “It is inspiring to see homegrown companies leading the way in creating a cleaner, stronger economy.”

The new Vitalis facility signals a shift toward cleaner, smarter manufacturing in B.C.—where innovation drives both climate progress and economic resilience.