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Manufacturing AUTOMATION magazine "Canada's leading publication providing industrial automation news and technology information aimed at the discrete and process industries."
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In this issueFrom the editor: Rethinking outsourcing?
Product focus: Communications and networking Mark your calendars |
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From the editor
Rethinking outsourcing?
Parents in Canada and around the world have been discarding their children's toys since Mattel announced a recall of millions of its Chinese-made toys earlier this month. First, the toy company recalled nearly one million Fisher-Price toys after high lead levels were discovered in the paint. Two weeks later, Mattel announced a voluntary recall of more than 18 million products because of high levels of lead in surface paint and small magnets that could be swallowed.
With all of these safety concerns surfacing, it has me wondering what the impact will be on Canada's manufacturing industry. China manufactures more than 80 per cent of the world's toys, and is a leading exporter of other manufactured goods. Many companies outsource their manufacturing processes to factories in China because it is a low-cost manufacturer. What will this scandal do for the country's reputation as a viable outsourcing option? Will this recent recall have companies rethinking their outsourcing strategy? Will companies decide to keep their manufacturing local, where it's easier to monitor the manufacturing process?
There are growing concerns over the quality of imported goods, and Prime Minister Stephen Harper said that this will be a topic of discussion at the NAFTA summit in Montebello, Que., this week. But who is really to blame? Chinese factories are feeling the pressure to cut costs. It's the old adage: you get what you pay for. If companies are demanding lower prices from their partners, something will suffer as a result. Shouldn't the companies outsourcing to these overseas manufacturers share some of the blame for not doing their due diligence and for not ensuring the safety and quality of their goods?
I'm a supporter of free trade, but I also believe that companies need to make sure the foreign factories they are doing business with are held to the same manufacturing standards that we are held to here in Canada. Safety and quality should be a top priority.
This should be a wake-up call to companies who outsource their manufacturing overseas. It's important to save money, but not at the expense of safety and quality.
Let me know what you think.
Until next time,
Mary Del Ciancio
Editor
mdelciancio@clbmedia.ca
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Stay tuned!
The September 2007 issue of Manufacturing AUTOMATION will include: Cover story: Canada's productivity revisited |
Today's e-newsletter is sponsored by...
In the news
Technologists get career boost in Hamilton
HAMILTON, Ont.
— The McMaster-Mohawk Bachelor of Technology Partnership is introducing
Technology Leadership certificate and diploma programs in September.
The programs are designed for technologists looking to step up the
corporate ladder, and internationally trained professionals looking to
gain a foothold in the Canadian workplace.
For the full story, click here.
CAW unveils new environmental policy
ST. JOHN'S, Nfld.
— The 1,000 delegates at a recent CAW joint council meeting in St.
John's, Nfld., unanimously endorsed a discussion paper that fully
commits the CAW to the fight against climate change, while also
strengthening Canada's auto industry and other crucial domestic sectors.
For the full story, click here.
CME names Myers president
OTTAWA, Ont.
— Jayson Myers is the new president of Canadian Manufacturers and
Exporters (CME), replacing Perrin Beatty, who recently resigned to take
on the role of president and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
Beatty has led CME since August 1999.
For the full story, click here.
North American robot sales jump
ANN ARBOR, Mich.
— New orders received by North American-based robotics companies rose
39 per cent in the first half of 2007, according to new statistics from
the Robotic Industries Association (RIA), the industry's trade group.
For the full story, click here.
Today's e-newsletter is sponsored by...
People watching
Iconics expands team
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Michael Hiefner is the new North American sales director for Iconics. In his new role, Hiefner has direct responsibility for all Iconics' North American regional sales managers in Canada, the United States and Mexico. He was previously the company's southern region sales manager. He will be based out of Dallas, Texas.
The company has also named Jack Clark its western region sales manager. Clark has worked in the electrical distribution sector for 23 years. In his new role, he will be responsible for new business development in Iconics' western region, which includes Western Canada, California, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii and Alaska. He will be based out of Santa Clarita, Calif.
www.iconics.com
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Jeff Connell
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AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Jeff Connell recently joined KMT Robotic Solutions, Inc. as plant manager. Connell has been involved in automotive manufacturing for 20 years, working for such companies as Ford, General Motors, Textron, Magna, Collins and Aikman, and Durakon.
www.kmtgroup.com
Today's e-newsletter is sponsored by...
Product focus: Communications and networking
Ethernet switch
Hirschmann
Automation and Control's Fast-Ethernet-Switch RS 20 BASIC can be
mounted on DIN rails, is compatible with both PROFINET and EtherNET/IP,
and is available with four or eight twisted-pair ports (RJ 45). In
addition, different temperature ranges and special approvals can be
selected individually. The operating state of the switches can be
detected locally by a signal contact, while detailed information can be
displayed via standard web browsers. A further central management
function is offered by the integrated SNMP interface, which enables the
use of network management software. The devices have several status
displays for local diagnostics. The HIPER-Ring redundancy method, which
switches over to a standby connection within 0.3 seconds in the event
of a fault, is designed to ensure high network availability. In
addition, the software supports quality-of-service functions, port
prioritization (IEEE 802.1D/p) and multicast (IGMP snooping). The
switches are designed to operate in temperatures from zero to 60 C.
Hirschmann Automation and Control
www.hirschmann.com
Ethernet switches
MOXA
recently released its first Ethernet switches with IP67-rated housings.
The EDS-305-M12 series of five-port industrial unmanaged Ethernet
switches with M12 connectors are designed for the toughest industrial
applications. The switches are designed to be resistant to the effects
of water, dust, dirt, humidity, vibration and shock. Two models are
available: one with an operating temperature range of zero to 60 C, and
the other with an extended operating temperature range of -40 to 75 C.
MOXA
www.moxa.com
Intelligent gateway
Woodhead
Industries has released version 1.4 of the BradCommunications applicom
GATEway, a configurable stand-alone intelligent gateway designed to
allow plant-floor devices to communicate and interoperate
simultaneously with each other through Ethernet TCP/IP, Profibus and
Serial networks. The gateway offers up to 20 different protocols and
thousands of combinations in one box without any programming. New
features include the change-of-state (COS) mechanism, which enables the
user to manage the "write access" send out to the network. Another new
feature is digital input and output channels, which allows users to
manage the six digital inputs and two digital outputs embedded on the
gateway.
Woodhead
www.woodhead.com
Mark your calendars
Activate 2007: Activplant's Manufacturing Technology and User Summit
September 16-19, 2007
ChampionsGate, Fla.
Attendees will hear from Activplant executives and manufacturing experts about best practices in lean manufacturing, plant management and business intelligence. Visit www.activplant.com/Activate07/index.htm for more information.
National Manufacturing Week
September 24-27, 2007
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, Ill.
Attendees will have the opportunity to see, compare and evaluate a
range of product and service resources for design and manufacturing.
For details, visit www.manufacturingweek.com.
National Robot Safety Conference XIX
October 1-4, 2007
Indianapolis Marriott Center East, Indianapolis, Ind.
For more information, visit www.roboticsonline.com/public/calendar/details.cfm?id=95.
ISA Expo 2007
October 2-4, 2007
Reliant Center, Houston, Texas
ISA
Expo allows automation and control professionals to hear and share
ideas, display and see state-of-the-art technologies and solutions, and
examine key automation topics. In addition to the technical conference,
ISA Expo 2007 will feature an exhibition with hundreds of companies
displaying their latest products and services. For more information,
visit www.isa.org.
Canadian Manufacturing Technology Show (CMTS)
October 15-18, 2007
Toronto, Ont.
With more than 600 manufacturers and distributors gathered under one
roof, CMTS is the place to source and compare production technology and
innovations. The show gives domestic and international manufacturers
and distributors the opportunity to display manufacturing machinery,
plant-floor automation technology and support products. Visit www.cmts.ca for more information.
InfraMation 2007
October 15-19, 2007
Las Vegas, Nev.
Hosted
by Flir Systems, Inc. and the Infrared Training Center (ITC), the 8th
annual InfraMation conference for professional infrared thermographers
includes user-led presentations on infrared applications, ''how-to''
clinics, panel discussions and networking opportunities. Conference
registration is available online at www.inframation.org/registration, or by calling 800-254-0632.
Intelligent Robotic Applications Forum
October 17-18, 2007
Mississauga, Ont.
At the forum, Fanuc Robotics Canada will demonstrate its latest
intelligent robotic solutions for assembly, machine tending, packaging,
bin picking, coating and arc welding. The event will feature robot
system demonstrations, interactive presentations, and breakout seminars
on the company's new LR Mate 200iC LEAN (light, efficient, accurate,
nimble) robot and iRVision products. For more information, call
800-iQ-ROBOT, or register online at fanucrobotics.com/event5.
Bosch Rexroth Maintenance Seminar: Hydraulics Unplugged
October 23, 2007
Welland, Ont.
The seminar, to be held at the company's hydraulic manufacturing and
service facility in Welland, Ont., is designed to help customers
maintain their industrial hydraulic systems in optimum condition to
minimize downtime and maximize revenues. Seminar topics include:
factors affecting hydraulic reliability; predictive maintenance tools;
demystifying oil analysis reports; internal infrastructure
requirements; and establishing external resources. For more
information, contact Christine Mastroianni at 905-735-0510, ext. 5133.
Automation Fair
November 14-15, 2007
Chicago, Ill.
Hosted
by Rockwell Automation, the 16th annual event is a free educational
forum featuring more than 100 exhibitors and 10,000 attendees from
around the world. This year's event will showcase the latest ways
manufacturers use industrial automation technology and services from
Rockwell Automation and its partners to enable innovation. Visit www.automationfair.com for details.
A more comprehensive list of events can be found on our website.
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If you would like to share your comments about this e-newsletter, or have a news tip for Manufacturing AUTOMATION, please e-mail Mary Del Ciancio, Editor. |
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