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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.''
Today's e-newsletter is sponsored by...
In this issueFrom the editor: Merry Christmas, automakers?
Product focus: Communications and networking Mark your calendars |
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Today's e-newsletter is sponsored by...
From the editor
Merry Christmas, automakers?
General Motors announced earlier this month that it will stop production at 21 factories across North America in January, cutting 250,000 vehicles from its first-quarter production schedule. Although not all plants will be closed at the same time or even for the full month, this is still a devastating blow to Canadians working in the auto sector. This is just one way the automaker is attempting to cut costs, as it waits to hear if and how the U.S. and Canadian governments will help out in the form of a bailout loan.
The Big Three – General Motors, Chrysler and Ford – are asking for billions of dollars to help the ailing automakers get back on their feet. The request was sent more than a month ago, and the Canadian and U.S. governments are still debating what to do.
The federal government and province of Ontario said they'll commit up to 20 percent of what the U.S. provides to help out the Canadian units of those automakers. The U.S. is considering a bailout of about $14 billion US, which means that Ottawa and Ontario could be ready to assist with another $2.8 billion US.
What do you think the U.S. and Canadian governments should do? Although the auto industry as a whole will likely never fold (people will always need cars), think of the devastating affect it will have on the already fragile economy if just one or two of the automakers go under. Think of the job losses. Shouldn't Canada protect its stake in the North American auto industry? Wouldn't that be a wonderful Christmas present to the thousands of Canadians working in the industry, to know that there is still hope for their jobs, for their livelihoods?
It's certainly easier said than done. The Big Three have to work with their unions and suppliers to come up with a long-term plan. They need to prove that any bailout money isn't going to simply prolong the inevitable collapse of the Big Three. They need to prove that their plans will put the industry back on track.
As we head into the holidays and a new year, I sincerely wish all of you the very best. I look forward to reporting on some more positive news in the coming year. Here's hoping for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2009.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year.
All the best,
Mary Del Ciancio
Editor
mdelciancio@clbmedia.ca
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WE'VE GONE DIGITAL! |
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Stay tuned!
The January/February 2009 issue of Manufacturing AUTOMATION will include: Cover story: Automation Education and Training The 10th Annual Automation Training and Education Guide: A directory of automation-specific education and training courses offered at colleges and universities across Canada. Keep it as your reference guide year round! Countdown to WorldSkills 2009: The famous WorldSkills competition is coming to Canada in 2009. From September 1 to 7, more than 900 young skilled trades students or apprentices from 50 countries will travel to Calgary, Alta., to compete in their respective skill categories. We'll introduce you to some of the members of Team Canada and find out how they're preparing for the big competition. Plus, find out how the manufacturing industry is getting involved. Building a skilled workforce: The manufacturing industry is facing major human resources challenges. A report released by the Conference Board of Canada this past summer recommends that manufacturers must improve on the current skills of their two million workers by tapping into education and training programs. We take a look at some of the opportunities and innovative programs available to address the manufacturing industry's growing human resource issues, including the Yves Landry Foundation's AIME initiative. Plus: The latest education trends, news and resources. Feature: Top five in '09 What are the top technologies you should have on your plant floor in 2009? Last year, wireless and security technologies topped the list, followed by robotics and safety systems. This year, we're asking a handful of industry experts to name the top technologies they think will make a difference in 2009. Don't miss what our experts have to say. Plus: The latest news, appointment announcements and trends, as well as a selection of the latest automation software offerings, power supplies, test and measurement equipment, interconnection devices, wire and cable products, and motion control offerings. |
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In the news
CME to conduct monthly business conditions survey
OTTAWA, Ont. —
The Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters recently announced that it
will conduct a monthly survey of its members, as well as manufacturers
and exporters across Canada, to provide real-time statistical
information to business leaders and government officials.
For the full story, click here.
Manufacturing CFOs in U.S. remain resilient despite economy, survey says
NEW YORK, N.Y. —
Even in this economic downturn, half of manufacturing company CFOs
recently surveyed expect their company's revenues to increase in the
coming year, and nearly four in 10 (37 percent) predict increased
profit margins, according to an annual survey of U.S. manufacturing
company CFOs commissioned by Bank of America Business Capital. What's
more, fifty-two percent of the CFOs say that the current state of the
economy will have no impact on their growth plans.
For the full story, click here.
Cisco report spotlights worldwide cyber security threats
SAN JOSE, Calif. —
Internet-based attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated and
specialized as profit-driven criminals continue to hone their approach
to stealing data from businesses, employees and consumers, according to
a recently released security report from Cisco. In the 2008 edition of
the Cisco Annual Security Report, the company identifies the
year's top security threats and offers recommendations for protecting
networks against attacks that are propagating more rapidly, becoming
increasingly difficult to detect, and exploiting technological and
human vulnerabilities.
For the full story, click here.
Alberta companies receive money for R&D
EDMONTON, Alta. —
Precarn Incorporated, an Ottawa, Ont.-based independent not-for-profit
company that supports the pre-commercial development of leading-edge
technologies, recently announced that it would provide $2.8 million in
funding to promote the research and development efforts of six
first-of-their-kind intelligent systems projects in Alberta.
For the full story, click here.
Today's e-newsletter is sponsored by...
People watching
New additions at Omron Canada
TORONTO, Ont. — Omron Canada Inc. recently announced a number of new appointments.
Alan Campbell joins the company as mid-west regional sales manager for Alberta. He will be the region leader responsible for developing, strategizing and growing relationships and business opportunities for the entire Omron line of products, with a focus on services and solutions with channel partners in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Campbell's experience includes senior positions with Cooper Crouse-Hinds Canada, Idec Corp. and Westburne Electric.
Gustavo Zecharies recently joined the company as technical services and support manager. He will be based out of the Montreal office, and work in conjunction with sales management to develop and implement a national technical support strategy with a strong focus on services and solutions, unifying the current regional approach. Prior to joining Omron, Zecharies was district services and solutions manager for Rockwell Automation.
Leonard Apps is Omron's new senior manager of strategic sales. Working closely with the account owners within Omron Canada's sales teams, Apps' initial focus will be on increasing the company's presence and sales in existing established customers within the food and beverage and pharmaceutical industiries. He will also concentrate on increasing market penetration by targeting new industries/customers. Previously, Apps held senior management positions at Rockwell, Sterner Automation and Universal Instruments.
Peter Chronis is the company's new strategic promotions and pricing manager, responsible for providing leadership in managing and executing pricing and promotional programs for all of Omron's product and application portfolios. Prior to joining Omron, Chronis was employed by Siemans Canada Limited as a business manager responsible for the standard drives group.
Robert Palajsa joins the company as machine guarding global account manager, a new position that will support the sales and development of new business for the company's OSTI line. Palajsa was previously with NCC Electronics/Jokab Safety North America as a safety systems specialist and sales engineer, specializing in the complete implementation of electrical machine safeguarding systems.
www.omron.ca
Thomson names new presidentWOOD DALE, Ill. — Ron Meyer has been appointed the new president of Thomson, a Danaher Motion company that produces ball bushing and profile rail bearings, 60 case shafting, ground and rolled ball screws, linear actuators, linear systems and related accessories. Meyer will drive the strategy and management of Thomson's global organization of facilities in North America, Europe and Asia. He originally joined Danaher Corporation in 1997 as president of Qualitrol. Meyer will maintain his leadership responsibilities for Danaher's Qualitrol business, and will continue to be based out of his Fairport, N.Y. office.
www.danahermotion.com
Product focus: Communications and networking
EtherCAT terminal
Beckhoff Automation has released the new EL6688 EtherCAT Terminal,
designed to permit extremely precise cross-factory and cross-site
synchronization according to the IEEE 1588 standard. Using the EL6688,
different machines, system components or production lines can be
accurately synchronized with each other or with an external grandmaster
clock via GPS or DCF77 receivers. With the distributed clocks, all
devices in an EtherCAT system can be synchronized with a tolerance of
less than 100 ns.
Beckhoff Automation LLC
www.beckhoffautomation.com
PoE switch
Phihong,
a provider of Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) solutions, has developed a
Power-over-Ethernet switch that extends PoE and Ethernet up to 200
metres and can power four IP cameras from a single Cat5 cable.
Designated the POE60S-4AF, the 10/100basteT switch extends the
capability of Ethernet and PoE from a current limit 100-metre reach to
double the distance, and with the power to run four security cameras
from a single Cat5 cable. The PoE switch can operate under temperatures
from zero to 55 degrees C.
Phihong
www.phihong.com
Mark your calendars
LabAutomation2009
January 24-28, 2009
Palm Springs, Calif.
The Association for Laboratory Automation (ALA), a multi-disciplinary,
non-profit scientific association spanning diverse academic
disciplines, industries and technology sectors, will host
LabAutomation2009, a cross-industry conference and exhibition on
emerging laboratory automation strategies and technologies. The
conference program includes presentations on laboratory automation
strategies and technologies. For information, visit labautomation.org/LA09.
ARC's 13th Annual Orlando Forum
February 2-5, 2009
Orlando, Fla.
The theme of this year's forum is "Winning Strategies and Best
Practices for Sustainable Manufacturing." For more information, visit www.arcweb.com/Events/Pages/Orlando09.aspx#spkr.
WonderWorld Global Industry Conference
February 19, 2009
Mexico City, Mexico
Wonderware, a business unit of Invensys, is holding its WonderWorld
global industry conference series, co-sponsored by Microsoft and
Mitsubishi Electric, in seven locations throughout the globe. This
year's conference series theme is "Enabling Innovation for Real-Time
Operational Excellence." The conference focus will target a variety of
industry topics such as innovative production and software strategies;
tactics for manufacturers and infrastructure operations to achieve
real-time operational excellence; and effective collaboration
strategies involving executives, operations, IT and engineering
personnel. Visit the WonderWorld website at www.wonderware.com/wworld08/ for more information and online registration.
Toll Processing 2009
March 4-6, 2009
Disney's Contemporary Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
The Fabricators and Manufacturers Association's Toll Processing 2009
Conference will focus on the "the Power of E" – Employees, Economics,
Education, Energy, Environment, Equipment and more. Presentations will
address labour market concerns, economic perspectives and advocacy
initiatives. For more information, visit www.fmanet.org or call 815-399-8775.
PAS' Third Annual Users Conference
March 9-11, 2009
South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center, Houston, Texas
Join PAS as it focuses on how to "Strategize to Optimize" plant
operations through informative presentations on such topics as:
operations effectiveness; alarm management; control loop performance
management; automation configuration management; and automated
documentation and database management. More information can be found at
www.pas.com/usersconference/.
ISA Hamilton - Expo 2009
March 11, 2009
Burlington, Ont.
The free, one-day exposition features technical presentations, webinar
tutorials, more than 50 suppliers and hundreds of new measurement and
control products. Visit www.isahamilton.com/expo.html for details.
MASC 2009
April 20-21, 2009
Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, Ont.
This year's Machine Automation Safety Congress (MASC), part of the
Industrial Accident Prevention Association's (IAPA) conference and
trade show event, will be even bigger and better with a new centralized
location. COS magazine and Manufacturing Automation
magazine will also be hosting sessions at the event to discuss machine
safety issues and technologies. The MASC pavilion and exhibit area
feature special hands-on demonstrations where leading suppliers of
machine automation safety and safeguarding will showcase their products
and answer questions from delegates. For more information, visit www.safermachines.com.
Interwire 2009
April 25-30, 2009
Cleveland, Ohio
The Wire Association International's Interwire Trade Exposition is an
international trade event that allows buyers, sellers, researchers and
speakers to connect with new contacts and colleagues from around the
world. The event will run concurrently with IFE 2009. Additional
information is available at www.wirenet.org.
IFE 2009
April 27-30, 2009
Cleveland, Ohio
The only North American event exclusively dedicated to the design and
manufacture of fasteners and precision formed parts, IFE, the
International Fastener and Precision Formed Parts Manufacturing
Exposition and Conference, brings together buyers from across North
America and beyond seeking the latest advances in equipment, products,
systems and services for bringing fasteners and precision formed parts
from concept to customer. IFE will run concurrently with Interwire, the
largest and longest running wire and cable event in the Americas. For
more information, visit www.ifetradeshow.com.
15th Canadian Skills Competition
May 20-23, 2009
Charlottetown, P.E.I.
The Canadian Skills Competition (CSC) is the only national,
Olympic-style, multi-trade and technology competition for young
students and apprentices in the country. Every year, the event brings
together approximately 500 young people from all regions of Canada,
along with their parents and advisors, to compete in more than 40 trade
and technology areas. The competition provides an opportunity for young
Canadians studying a skilled trade or technology to be tested against
exacting standards and against their peers from across the nation.
Students vie to win the honour of being crowned the best in their
chosen discipline. For more information, visit www.skillscanada.com.
WorldSkills Calgary 2009
September 1-7, 2009
Calgary, Alta.
Canada will host more than 900 competitors from 50 countries at the
40th WorldSkills Competition. The event, held every two years, is the
pinnacle of excellence in skilled trades and technologies training. It
allows the best and brightest young people to test themselves against
tough international standards in their given trade. For more details,
visit www.worldskills2009.com.
For more events, visit www.automationmag.com.
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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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