CMTS to reinforce importance of tech innovations in tough economy

Manufacturing still matters.

That’s the message from organizers of the Canadian Manufacturing Technology Show 2009 (CMTS), where more than 500 manufacturers and distributors prepare to convene at the Direct Energy Centre in Toronto, October 19 to 22, 2009.

The event – where Manufacturing AUTOMATION will also be in attendance – will unveil the latest trends in manufacturing innovations and demonstrate how new technological developments can help Canadian manufacturers reinvent themselves on the heels of a recession.

“Manufacturing is essential to restoring a stagnant economy,” said Mark Tomlinson, executive director and general manager of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), which is organizing the four-day event. “Not only is this sector providing good-paying jobs, but it’s also helping to develop the innovations that will keep Canada globally competitive.”

“That’s not to say the industry is without its challenges,” adds Tomlinson. With manufacturing sales hitting record lows across almost all sectors and in all provinces, show organizers are sending out a strong message that Canadian manufacturers need to rethink business strategies and embrace diversification in order to survive.

“Businesses have to adapt, whether that means collaborating with other companies to create larger corporations capable of tackling tough markets, or transitioning traditional manufacturing processes to take advantage of emerging trends in the energy, aerospace and medical industries,” he said, emphasizing that CMTS 2009 conference sessions will provide participants with valuable insight into these opportunities.

CMTS is Canada’s definitive showcase for the latest machine tools, automation technologies, metal forming, measurement technologies, tooling solutions, production methods and management strategies. From three-dimensional visualization techniques, nanotechnology and robotics to smart grids, green technologies and rapid prototyping, it provides an in-depth look at technological innovation and the resources businesses need to improve – or reinvent – their manufacturing processes. Highlights include:

• A keynote address by Linda Hasenfratz, CEO of Linamar Corp. (Monday, October 19, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.). A seasoned automotive professional who has played a vital role in growing Linamar sales from $800 million to more than $2.3 billion over the past seven years, Hasenfratz will take a hard look at the future of the automotive industry and its supplier base. She will provide valuable insight into current opportunities in green mobility, and how to adapt automotive processes to take advantage of emerging opportunities in the energy and medical fields.

• The CMTS Town Hall Experience (Tuesday, October 20, 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.), an interactive panel discussion on North America’s growing energy manufacturing supply chain featuring representatives from the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA), the Organization of CANDU Industries (OCI), and the Canadian Solar Industry. Attendees will learn everything they need to know about the expanding energy industry, and how to use their own equipment, capabilities and expertise to tap into this growing market.

• Small and Medium Sized Manufacturers’ Success Stories – Transitioning to New Industries (Wednesday, October 21, 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.). A panel of representatives who have successfully transitioned their manufacturing operations into new industries shares their experiences and offers valuable lessons learned.

• Automation Rendez-Vous 2009 (October 20-21). A technical two-day conference showcasing industrial process improvement technologies, partnership best practices and emerging technologies. Keynote Dick Morley, a consultant with R. Morley Inc. and father of the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), kicks off the event, Wednesday, October 21, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., with an engaging look at “black holes, nanotechnology and chocolate.” Morley will demonstrate how emerging technologies, coupled with greater awareness of green benefits and the ongoing advance of the Internet, are shaping a new era in manufacturing where Control, Communications and Automation come together.”

Exhibitor Showcase, featuring Automaton Cell Live in the Factory Automation Zone, Innovations 2009 and Green Solutions 2009. More than 300 exhibits will be on display, in five key areas: Machine Tools, Metal Forming, Factory Automation, Tooling Supplies and Service, and Measurement Technology and Quality Assurance. New this year, Automation Cell Live offers a firsthand look at industry applications from FANUC Robotics and Lincoln Electric in a smaller footprint than a factory floor, enabling attendees to evaluate and compare advanced equipment on the spot. Also new is Green Solutions 2009, a comprehensive display of vendors offering green solutions for the manufacturing industry and its processes.

Other highlights include a look at additional technological innovations at the forefront of Canadian manufacturing, such as digital techniques that help to reduce the likelihood of mistakes early on in the manufacturing process, three-dimensional vision equipment that is being used to lower production costs, and high-speed inspection systems that are helping to avoid costly labelling mistakes in the food and beverage industry.

For program details, please visit www.cmts.ca or call (416) 491-7565.