SpaceKap needs no introduction. The company is recognized as the North American leader in truck bed manufacturing. But that reputation would look very different today if not for the boldness of its leaders, who faced a severe labor shortage in recent years and turned to foreign workers.
Key Takeaways
- SpaceKap employs around fifty foreign workers, more than 75% of the technical staff in its factory.
- Oscar Sanchez-Silva, who arrived from Peru in 2021, is now a production supervisor at SpaceKap.
- His son Enzo joined the company as an internal sales representative for the U.S. market after earning a business degree.
Why does SpaceKap depend so heavily on foreign workers?
Today, SpaceKap employs around fifty foreign workers, making up more than 75 percent of the technical staff in its factory. Without them, operations would be compromised, and profitability would be precarious.
Recruiting and bringing workers over is only the start. Housing has to be found for them. They need assistance with bureaucratic processes, including filling out immigration forms and renewing work permits. Transportation to work also has to be arranged, especially for night shifts when public transit isn’t an option.
How did the Sanchez-Silva family end up at SpaceKap?
As covered in an earlier story, Oscar Sanchez-Silva left everything behind in Peru in 2021 to settle in Canada with his wife and three children. Three years later, he’s a production supervisor, a key position in the company.
The family initially found housing on the island of Montreal, but this past summer, they wanted to move closer to work and relocated to Montreal’s South Shore. SpaceKap helped them find a house there, and they’re now settled.
How has the next generation of the family built careers at SpaceKap?
Two of the three children in the family attend school and speak fluent French, a sign of successful integration. Alessia, 15, wants to pursue a career as an aerospace engineer. Stefano, 17, is aiming for a degree in video game programming.
The eldest, Enzo, is following in his father’s footsteps. He arrived in Canada in 2023 with a university degree in International Business Administration and now works at SpaceKap as an internal sales representative for the U.S. market. “We knew the values of the Sanchez family. With his degree in hand, we didn’t hesitate to create a position that would showcase his skills,” says Jack Lord, National Sales Director for the U.S. at SpaceKap.
Enzo speaks Spanish and English and has been taking French lessons for a few months. He found a quick way to learn a new language and culture: through love. Enzo is dating Marie-Gabrielle Giguère, a young woman studying psychology at university.
It’s a fitting example of integration: a whole family taking root and adapting to Canadian culture while helping the business thrive. Read more about how SpaceKap supports its foreign workers more broadly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many foreign workers does SpaceKap employ?
SpaceKap employs around fifty foreign workers, who make up more than 75 percent of the technical staff at its factory.
What role does Oscar Sanchez-Silva hold at SpaceKap today?
Oscar Sanchez-Silva, who arrived from Peru in 2021, is now a production supervisor, a key position within the company.
Does SpaceKap hire family members of its existing foreign workers?
Yes. Oscar’s son Enzo joined SpaceKap as an internal sales representative for the U.S. market after arriving in Canada with a business degree.
