Factory of the Future opens Winnipeg facility

Jul. 27, 2015 – An investment of up to $60 million to build a new facility in Winnipeg, Man., has been announced as part of the National Research Council of Canada’s (NRC’s) Factory of the Future program.

The new program leverages the NRC’s infrastructure and specialized equipment to “assist Canadian manufacturers develop, adopt, and deploy new technologies and processes to produce high-quality, specialized manufactured goods at lower costs and in shorter time frames,” it said. According to NRC representatives, the new Winnipeg facility will stimulate public-private partnerships and provide Canadian companies with easy access to provide Canadian companies access to various research tools, including process design; simulation and integration; maintenance, repair and overhaul research; and manufacturing lifecycle assessment.

It will also house a manufacturing pilot train laboratory and will support the development of advanced manufacturing systems engineering, composites and biocomposites.

“By providing our companies with the tools they need to be competitive, we are helping to ensure that our best and brightest innovators get ideas off the ground, and that Canadian manufacturers will compete and win in global markets, creating jobs and prosperity at home,” said Ed Holder, minister of state (science and technology).

The funding is part of the $5.8-billion commitment toward public infrastructure announced by the Federal government in November 2014.

“This investment will increase NRC’s capacity to provide industry with access to leading-edge expertise, facilities and equipment, and support Canada’s economic growth and prosperity,” said Dr. Ian Potter, vice-president of engineering, NRC. “With this investment, we will help businesses overcome their technology and innovation challenges and increase their competitiveness and growth in the marketplace.”