Vincent Caron will be joining the Manufacturer’s Forum to present CME’s findings from their Rep Tape Survey conducted in spring 2024. The presentation will address key insights including answers to the following questions: 

• The biggest challenges currently facing companies. 
• Regulatory areas that incur the highest costs for businesses. 
• The impact of various government regulations on businesses. 
• Effective government measures to help companies reduce their carbon footprint and remain competitive. 
• Major obstacles to recruiting and retaining qualified labor. 
• Strategies for the government to reduce administrative burdens and improve regulatory compliance. 

This insightful presentation will not only summarize the survey findings, but also propose policy solutions for recurring issues.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Manufacturing Talent in Ontario

Ontario’s advanced manufacturing sector has witnessed record levels of investment over the last five years. Much of this investment has come as the result of the ability to leverage the province’s greatest competitive advantage: a highly skilled workforce. That said, Ontario manufacturers consistently face challenges recruiting and retaining key personnel.

In this session, Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing managing director Brendan Sweeney examines how labour market trends and changes to Ontario’s economy have created challenges for employers, and how companies can overcome these challenges and inspire the next generation of talented people to choose a career in manufacturing.

Bio:

Brendan Sweeney is the Managing Director of the Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing, a non-profit organization based at Western University in London, Ontario. He is known as the province’s preeminent source of manufacturing research and thought leadership. Working alongside an accomplished team, Brendan’s research supports the strategic initiatives of a growing number of government agencies, manufacturers, economic development organizations, industry associations, and other ecosystem partners.

The last presentation of the day is a panel discussion regarding supply chain and logistics in the manufacturing industry. With panelists joining the conversations from various experiences, discussion will be around future trends, risk management and adaptability, Global vs. Local supply chain strategies. 

Hear from:

Melissa Hardeo, Instructor at Georgian’s Global Supply Chain Management program 

Bobbi Curran, Vice President, Honda Canada

Bruce Taylor, President, Enviro-Stewards

Join Cameron Gray, Sector Manager for Advanced Manufacturing at The Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), Where Next Happens. OCI is the innovation partner of choice for SMEs across the province. OCI's Critical Industrial Technologies (CIT) initiative is building the future of industry in Ontario. Featuring 5 programs to support advanced manufacturing companies, CIT offers strategic resources for hiring, training, and new product commercialization.  

Join this session to accelerate your journey to the future.

Hear insights, experience, and importance of adapting green manufacturing and clean technology from local companies that have adapted green manufacturing and clean technology into their processes. Want those participating to share how and why they’ve adapted this into their organization, challenges, and solutions they have overcome, and share innovative solutions. 

Facilitated by Scott McNeil Smith, Vice President Sector Performance at EMC.

An opportunity for manufacturing employers to learn about opportunities to collaborate with Lakehead University and Georgian College to enhance research and development initiatives. A brief presentation (15 min) to be provided by each school, followed by Q&A. 

Laleh Khodaparast is a strategic leader with a proven track record in research and innovation, currently serving as Director at Georgian College’s Research and Innovation department. Since joining in 2017, she has risen through various roles, leading the evolution of applied research initiatives, securing substantial grant funding, and fostering industry partnerships. With experience across multiple sectors, including government incentives, manufacturing, and academia, Laleh excels in aligning research themes with regional and industry needs. She holds a Bachelor's in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, a master’s in engineering management, and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). 

Dr. Rebecca Heffernan joined Lakehead University in Orillia six years ago as the Director of Economic Development and Research Support. She brings over 10 years of research and innovation administration experience to her role. Rebecca is responsible for increasing the research funding portfolio, strategic partnerships, and regional economic development initiatives to help grow a sustainable and prosperous regional economy. Prior to joining Lakehead University, Rebecca worked in the Office of Research at Brock University on large institutional and strategic funding opportunities. Rebecca holds a PhD in Immunology from the University of Guelph and was a recipient of a Mitacs Elevate Industry Post-Doctoral Award. 

Join EMC and their Green Manufacturing team to explore how today's manufacturers can lead the charge toward a sustainable and profitable future.

This session will provide an overview of the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities for sustainable, greener manufacturing and clean technology adoption, drawing from EMC’s research and real-world case studies. We will also discuss what Green manufacturing means and how to engage and align senior leadership, peers and operations staff in sustainability.

In addition, learn what skills, tools and strategies are needed to deploy a credible path to Net Zero - quantify strategic opportunities, increase employee alignment, engagement and culture, and achieve energy and water/resource efficiencies and GHG emission reduction targets while improving the production ecosystem.

Understand how manufacturers are driving meaningful change, by engaging senior leadership, developing green skills, and deploying strategies that not only reduce environmental impact but also improve operational efficiency and competitiveness. Don't miss this opportunity to discover how to take the next steps toward net-zero emissions while fostering innovation and growth.

Presented by:

Scott McNeil-Smith, Vice President, Manufacturing Sector Performance, EMC

Bruce Taylor, MRE, P.Eng., President - Enviro-Stewards Inc.