Minister Goodyear Visits Innovative Manufacturer

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - July 29, 2014) - Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)

FedDev Ontario Minister Gary Goodyear and MP Mark Adler visited Plitron Manufacturing Inc. today to congratulate the company on its innovative and specialized production of transformers, which are known for being some of the quietest in the world.

Plitron Manufacturing Inc. was established in 1983 and conducts the research, design, development and manufacturing of electrical transformers and related products. Its products are based on toroidal, or ring-shaped, technology, which is more efficient compared to other electrical products. The company has been successful in selling its products to clients around the world in a variety of industrial sectors, including audio, medical, broadcast, telecommunications, computer and energy.

FedDev Ontario has supported manufacturers such as Plitron through investments in programs delivered by the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) and the Yves Landry Foundation (YLF).

Plitron received more than $47,000, through the CME SMART Prosperity Now program, to install automated taping, winding and testing equipment for current transformers. This has enabled high-quality, high-efficiency production and the company's expansion to markets in the United States.

The company also received more than $10,000, through the YLF Achieving Innovation and Manufacturing Excellence (AIME) Global initiative, to train employees on new software, lean management principles and project management.

Quick Facts

• FedDev Ontario's contribution of up to $18.9 million for the CME Smart Prosperity Now program helped more than 300 manufacturers in southern Ontario to become more productive and better equipped to compete in world markets, helping to create nearly 2,900 jobs and maintain more than 5,000.
• FedDev Ontario's contribution of up to $6 million for the YLF AIME Global initiative supported more than 170 export-oriented manufacturers in the region, trained 5,166 workers, created more than 800 jobs, and maintained more than 760 jobs.

Quotes

"I'm pleased to see this southern Ontario-based company has invested in new technology and employee training to ensure that it can compete in global markets. Our Government recognizes that this is becoming increasingly important for manufacturers to succeed in today's economy."

- Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for FedDev Ontario

"I'm proud that our Government has supported companies such as Plitron to improve operations and benefit the local economy."

- Mark Adler, Member of Parliament for York Centre

"CME is pleased to celebrate the success of one of our members: Plitron. They were able to take advantage of CME's SMART program to improve productivity and better address global competitive challenges. It is an ideal example of CME partnering with FedDev to deliver solutions to manufacturers in southern Ontario."

- Ian Howcroft, Vice President, Ontario CME

"Plitron is another good example of an organization that understands the value of a skilled workforce. They know their people are their 'competitive advantage' and through the projects and skills upgrading that they have completed, they are well positioned in the marketplace."

- Karyn Brearley, Executive Director, Yves Landry Foundation

"Development funding through programs such as the Canadian Manufacturer's & Exporters (CME) SMART program, and the Yves Landry Foundation's Achieving Innovations and Manufacturing Excellence (AIME) global Initiative, are helping us remain competitive on the world stage and allowing us to develop new products like our Torus Power line of isolation and protection components for the audio-video market. We are competing with companies who manufacture in the Far East, yet we are building higher-quality, leading edge products right here in Toronto. This allows us to be more responsive to the North American marketplace, and to feel good about our commitment to the local economy and building a high-performance workforce in Toronto."

- Howard Gladstone, President & CEO, Plitron Manufacturing Inc.

Associated Links

• Plitron Manufacturing Inc.
• Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters
• Yves Landry Foundation
• FedDev Ontario funding opportunities

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