Minister Goodyear, MP Kent and CME Host Advanced Manufacturing Roundtable in Concord

CONCORD, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - July 30, 2015) - Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
(FedDev Ontario)

Today, FedDev Ontario Minister Gary Goodyear and Thornhill MP the Honourable Peter Kent co-hosted an advanced manufacturing roundtable with CME Vice President of National Policy Mathew Wilson in Concord, Ontario.

Minister Goodyear released the "Strengthening Canada's Manufacturing Sector" publication, which outlines the Harper Government's actions to support and promote the manufacturing sector. The booklet highlights numerous federal policies and programs, which are helping Canadian manufacturers compete globally, create jobs and grow the economy.

Representatives from the manufacturing sector attended today's roundtable, the fifth in a series of roundtables being held across southern Ontario, to discuss the challenges and opportunities for Ontario's manufacturing sector. Following the roundtable, Minister Goodyear and MP Kent toured Siemens Ruggedcom, a manufacturer that specializes in communications equipment for harsh environments.

Prior to the roundtable, Minister Goodyear and MP Peter Kent announced an investment of up to $5,000 in Rubinet Faucet Company, a manufacturer of high-quality brass faucets and fixtures for bathrooms, kitchens and bars. This project, funded through the Government of Canada's joint partnership with Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters' (CME) SMART Advanced Technologies for Global Growth program, will enable the company to examine current manufacturing practices and to recommend how advanced technologies could be implemented in the manufacturing of its products. This will allow the company to improve its productivity.

Quick Facts

• The manufacturing sector is a major contributor to Canada's economy, employing more than 1.7 million Canadians, of which nearly 750,000 live in Ontario. It also accounts for half of the business R&D in Canada and generated sales of $621.7 billion in 2014, including $286.6 billion in sales for Ontario alone.
• Nearly 80,000 manufacturing establishments exist across the country with more than 32,000 manufacturing establishments in southern Ontario.
• Since 2009, the Harper Government, through FedDev Ontario, has committed almost $350 million to an expected 2,100 direct and indirect manufacturing projects, including investments for CME's SMART programming. This includes more than 700 small- and medium-sized manufacturing businesses in southern Ontario that have become more productive and better equipped to compete globally through our partnership with CME.
• Export-oriented manufacturers are encouraged to apply for CME SMART funding to conduct technology assessments and adopt advanced technologies, such as robotics, 3D printing and automated materials handling.
• The Rubinet Faucet Company's seven different product groups are marketed and sold across North America.

Quotes

"Through Economic Action Plan 2015 and our partnerships with organizations such as CME, our Government is committed to supporting Ontario's manufacturers. Roundtables, such as the one we are hosting today, give us the opportunity to connect with our manufacturers, to understand their needs and to work towards creating a thriving manufacturing sector and prosperous communities. The publication released today details how the Government's suite of policies - low taxes, global trade opportunities, skills training and strategic investments in new technologies - have helped Canadian manufacturers expand their existing footprint."

• The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for FedDev Ontario

"CME's SMART Advanced Technologies for Global Growth program is one initiative that helps manufacturers expand their operations, invest in productivity improvements and adopt advanced technologies. With today's announcement, the Rubinet Faucet Company will be one step closer to adopting new technologies and enhancing its operations. We wish the Rubinet Faucet Company success with their technology assessment."

• The Honourable Peter Kent, Member of Parliament for Thornhill

"The global marketplace and its pressure on Canada's manufacturing sector have never been stronger. Canada's economy has shifted its dependency to once again rely on the innovative commercialization of advanced manufacturing techniques and technologies to drive growth. Ontario remains the heart of Canada's industrial sector and, in turn, Ontario's economy depends on manufacturing to create high paying jobs, commercialize new products and technologies and to drive exports."

• Mathew Wilson, Vice President of National Policy, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME)

"Since 1982, the goal of the Rubinet Faucet Company has been to create products of impressive design and quality. The Rubinet brand is well recognized in North America, associated with high quality and great designs and well appreciated for our ongoing product innovation. The SMART program will help Rubinet implement advanced technologies to improve our manufacturing scalability and productivity, which are key factors for the future growth of the company."

• Domenic Luisi, Owner, The Rubinet Faucet Company

Associated Links

Strengthening Canada's Manufacturing Sector

Siemens Ruggedcom

The Rubinet Faucet Company

CME SMART Advanced Technologies for Global Growth Program

FedDev Ontario

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