Minister Goodyear and CME Host Manufacturing Roundtable in Oakville

OAKVILLE, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Jan. 14, 2015) - Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)

Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this Press Release.

FedDev Ontario Minister Gary Goodyear and Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) President & CEO Jayson Myers today kicked off a series of roundtables with manufacturers in southern Ontario to seek input on how to retain and grow jobs in this important sector of the Canadian economy.

Joined by Oakville Member of Parliament Terence Young, Minister Goodyear and Mr. Myers visited Siemens Canada Limited headquarters in Oakville to learn more about the company's history and products. Siemens, one of the world's leading electronics and electrical engineering companies, has a 110,000-square foot, five-storey facility, which brings together hundreds of employees in a collaborative environment.

Minister Goodyear and Mr. Myers then co-hosted a roundtable with representatives from local manufacturing firms to discuss challenges and opportunities for advanced manufacturing in Ontario.

Earlier in the day, Minister Goodyear, along with Minister of State for Sport and Member of Parliament for Bramalea-Gore-Malton Bal Gosal, toured Koss Aerospace and announced a FedDev Ontario investment of nearly $5 million for the Mississauga-based aerospace and defence manufacturer.

FedDev Ontario also recently announced renewed investments of almost $30 million in CME and the Yves Landry Foundation for two funding programs that opened to manufacturers in December.

The Government of Canada invests in manufacturing innovation through initiatives such as the Advanced Manufacturing Fund, Technology Demonstration Program, the Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative, and the Automotive Innovation Fund.

Quick Facts

• More than 32,000 manufacturing establishments in southern Ontario contribute significantly to local economies.
  
  
• The manufacturing sector is a major contributor to Canada's economy, employing more than 1.7 million Canadians, of which nearly 800,000 live in Ontario. It also accounts for half of the business R&D in Canada and generated revenues of $591 billion in 2013, including $270 billion in revenues for Ontario alone.
  
  
• FedDev Ontario's partnership with CME, which includes previous investments of more than $38 million, 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.
  
  
• With a new $20-million investment from FedDev Ontario, CME is delivering 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.
  
  
• With a $9-million investment from FedDev Ontario, the Yves Landry Foundation (YLF) is continuing to deliver its Achieving Innovation and Manufacturing Excellence (AIME) Global initiative, which helps export-oriented manufacturers provide employee training to support the adaptation of new technology, new processes or procedures that increase productivity and competitiveness.
  
  

Quotes

"Manufacturing has been, and still is, the backbone of the Canadian economy. The Government of Canada is proud to support Ontario manufacturers that are adopting new technologies, competing globally and creating more high-quality jobs. Our programs, third-party partnerships and events such as this manufacturing roundtable speak to the importance we place on working with and supporting the sector."

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

"The Ontario economy depends on manufacturers to drive exports, commercialize most new technologies and create high paying jobs across a variety of industrial and services sectors, so in many respects our economic prospects are directly tied to the future of manufacturing in Ontario. Advanced manufacturing technologies are revolutionizing products and production processes for Ontario manufacturers and, while competitive pressures remain extremely strong, adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies will help keep Ontario firms competitive."

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

Associated Links

Advanced Manufacturing Fund

Investing in Business Growth and Productivity

CME SMART Advanced Technologies for Global Growth

Achieving Innovation and Manufacturing Excellence (AIME) Global initiative

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