Minister Goodyear Talks Additive Manufacturing in Hamilton

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

FedDev Ontario Minister Gary Goodyear delivered a keynote address today at the first full-day Canada Makes: Additive Manufacturing Forum, co-hosted by Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) and Mohawk College in Hamilton.

CME's Canada Makes, a network of private, public, academic and not-for profit partners, is dedicated to promoting the use of advanced and additive manufacturing in Canada. The Forum brings together industry leaders to share best practices and learn about the latest applications in additive manufacturing for metal parts.

During his speech, the Minister outlined key measures from Economic Action Plan 2015 to support businesses and manufacturers. This includes providing manufacturers with a 10-year accelerated capital cost allowance to encourage productivity-enhancing investment in machinery and equipment. It also includes launching the Automotive Supplier Innovation Program with an investment of $100 million over the next five years.

The Minister also announced that since the launch of the SMART Advanced Technologies for Global Growth program in December 2014, supported by FedDev Ontario, CME has awarded more than $1 million in 15 projects.

Prior to the Forum, Minister Goodyear toured the Additive Manufacturing Resource Centre at Mohawk College, which provides additive manufacturing capabilities to local companies to develop and enhance their products. He also co-hosted a roundtable with CME President and CEO Jayson Myers to discuss challenges and new opportunities for manufacturing in Ontario.

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.
• The Harper Government has provided 1.4 billion dollars or tax relief to the manufacturing sector and total business tax costs in Canada are now the lowest in the G7.
• Since 2009, the Harper Government, through FedDev Ontario, has committed almost $350 million to an expected 2,100 direct and indirect manufacturing projects.
• This includes a $20-million investment from FedDev Ontario to CME to deliver SMART Advanced Technologies for Global Growth, which provides funding for manufacturers to conduct technology assessments and adopt advanced technologies, such as robotics, 3D printing and automated materials handling.
• It also includes previous investments of more than $38 million for CME, which has helped more than 700 small and medium-sized manufacturing businesses in southern Ontario to become more productive and better equipped to compete in world markets.

Quotes

"Our Government is committed to supporting businesses in Ontario's manufacturing sector, an integral part of the Canadian economy. Through Economic Action Plan 2015, and through partnerships with organizations like CME, we are giving manufacturers the tools they need to create the products - and the jobs - of the future."

- The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

"Canada's manufacturers understand that it is vital to research and invest in the advanced manufacturing technologies that will give them a competitive edge in the global economy. CME is proud to take the lead, through programs such as Canada Makes and in partnership with FedDev Ontario through our SMART funding program, encouraging those investments leading to the research and implementation of these important industry advancements."

- Jayson Myers, President and CEO of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME)

"Through our Additive Manufacturing Resource Centre and with support from the Government of Canada, Mohawk College works with automotive partners and other advanced manufacturers on applied research projects that lead to innovative solutions, competitive advantages and future-ready graduates."

- Ron McKerlie, President of Mohawk College

Related Products

Speech: Keynote Address at the Canada Makes: Additive Manufacturing Forum

Associated Links

Economic Action Plan 2015

FedDev Ontario

CME SMART Advanced Technologies for Global Growth

Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters

Canada Makes

Additive Manufacturing Resource Centre at Mohawk College

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