EMC launches new Lean training program for Northern Ontario manufacturers

January 7, 2019 – The Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC) has kick-started a new three-year program to help Northern Ontario manufacturers become more productive and globally competitive.

EMC, a not-for-profit consortium serving and supporting Canada’s manufacturing industry, is running the “Advancing Lean Initiatives for Northern Ontario Industry” initiative with support from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor). The program will include opportunities for productivity improvement knowledge, networking/benchmarking resources and new management and productivity system training.

“This investment will help strengthen Northern Ontario’s manufacturing sector, while creating a highly skilled workforce that will contribute to a strong economy and benefit the entire region,” says Paul Lefebvre, member of parliament for Sudbury.

As part of the project, EMC will deliver 42 lean management training events over three years in North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Parry Sound/Muskoka, Sudbury, Timmins and Thunder Bay. The initiative will also create opportunities for business and community leaders to share ideas and best practices, while providing a forum for learning and knowledge exchange regarding energy, supply chain, health and safety, human resources and marketing.

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“Northern Ontario industries are facing critical challenges to competitiveness,” says Al Diggins, chairman of EMC. “Manufacturers are not only competing for new business and customers around the world, but also competing at home to retain and attract skilled workers and talented leadership. Through this strategic investment, EMC will be delivering advanced productivity and management system training, and SME cluster activities designed to help the sector to grow their productive capabilities, while delivering significant impacts for participating firms, the surrounding communities and the region as a whole.”

Last August, EMC wrapped up a two-year lean manufacturing program for Northern Ontario with another investment from FedNor, which saw significant success – 10 of the companies that participated reported savings of $10,000 to $499,000, depending on their area of focus. 

“As cost control continues to be one of the most significant concerns for manufacturers, our cluster events coupled with lean training will help manufacturers not only reduce costs but increase efficiencies while building a more engaged culture,” says Shawn Casemore, president of EMC.