Alberta budget good news for manufacturers

In the midst of a challenging economic climate, the recently-released budget by the Government of Alberta provides positive direction for the growth of Western Canada’s manufacturing sector.

That’s the message of industry representatives in advance of the Western Manufacturing Technology Show (WMTS), running June 15-17 at the Edmonton EXPO Centre.

According to the Alberta Ministry of Innovation and Advanced Education 2015 business plan, a top budget priority is helping businesses to commercialize their products and services by connecting them with new technology solutions, end-users and specialized management, and market and regulatory expertise. The government states it will also work to attract innovation and industry partnerships.

For Western manufacturers, this provides a sense of optimism, says Janine Saperson, Event Manager of SME, organizer of WMTS. “Our industry sources tell us that diversification is widely seen as the key to success for struggling manufacturers, and there are many initiatives in the budget that support it,” said Saperson, noting that manufacturing stands to benefit from Alberta’s plans to help boost product development and commercialization, as well as from capital investments that strengthen links between post-secondary education and industry.

A recent survey by Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME) indicates 67 percent of manufacturing firms see opportunities to diversify into other sectors. The challenges they face include limited research and development resources and competitive pressures. Alberta’s strategic focus to solidify its competitiveness and status as a preferred destination for both resource and non-resource sectors will help manufacturers to overcome those obstacles, she said.

With the budget plan roll out, WMTS comes at an opportune time, with thousands of manufacturers expected to attend, Saperson said. Considered Western Canada’s go-to manufacturing event,  the show brings together the latest technologies, products and processes, the most relevant industry information, and prime networking opportunities in a one-stop, all-encompassing venue.

In addition to a comprehensive exhibit of the latest advances in machine tools, tooling and accessories, metal fabrication, design automation and assembly, advanced manufacturing, plant maintenance and process control, the event will feature an extensive educational component designed to help manufacturers get to the next level of growth and expansion, and compete on a global scale. Topics to be presented include:

• The competitiveness and productivity in Alberta’s manufacturing sector – a special panel discussion

• Advisory and Financial Support Available to Small and Medium Size Enterprise – George Bacioiu from NRC-IRAP, Government of Canada

• How the Canada-Alberta Job Grant can Benefit the Manufacturing Sector – Blaine Yamkovy, Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour, Government of Alberta

• An Overview of the Build in Canada Innovation Program – Darlene Chuka, Public Works & Government Services Canada

• Total Quality Management (TQM) Frameworks: Implementation and Sustainability – Brian (Baher) Amouzgar, Plantek Productivity Consulting Inc.

• Productivity Through Welding Automation – Nick Drake, Gullco

• Improving Quality and Productivity of Pressure Equipment Fabrication – Iulian Radu, PCL Industrial Constructors

Alberta’s manufacturing sector is the third largest in Canada, accounting for nearly 13 per cent of Canada’s total manufacturing shipments. It includes refined petroleum products, chemicals, food products, machinery, fabricated metals, wood products, non-metallic mineral products, and plastics and rubber. WMTS is designed to zero in on where those industries are today and what’s ahead in the coming years, Saperson said.

For more information, or to register, please visit www.wmts.ca.