FEBRUARY 2018manufacturinginfocus.comA NEW GENERATION OF PERFORMANCE PLASTICSRegal Plastics Supply CompanySTRATEGY AND INNOVATION UNDER A NEW NAMEAlpha Precision GroupINNOVATION IN CONTROLDart ControlsKeeping Perspective and Redefining Work in the Age of Advanced Automation 24-7 machining to meet your delivery requirements. Producing quality parts since 1981.Website: www.microcut.com Email: service@microcut.com Phone: 800-682-6162 Fax: 800-515-5299 EDITOR’S CORNERWelcome, readers, to the launch of Manufac-turing in Focus! At Focus Media Group, we take great pride in delivering a comprehensive view of diverse industry sectors, keeping our readers up to date on the latest news and events as well as highlight-ing North America’s leading companies. Now, with the rise of automation, the continuous evolution of technology, and the reshoring efforts taking place all over North America, we’re particularly excited to bring our brand of story-telling to the manufacturing sector.“Automation need not pose a threat.”In this issue, we take a look at the modern face of manufacturing – one of innovative processes, lean principles, and automation. Ian McCausland writes in Threat or Opportunity? – Keeping Perspective and Redefining Work in the Age of Advanced Automation that, “the future of automation presents an oppor-tunity to redefine work, to automate physical or cognitive tasks that are routine, tedious, dangerous, or dull, and put humans to work in roles that are better suited to their capabilities and skills.” And truly, automation need not pose a threat; it could in fact free up valuable time and resources for workers to advance ideas, develop their skills, and take innovation to the next level. It is a shift that we look forward to watching unfold, and one that we hope will bring continuing success to the industry leaders we profile here. We thank our readers for taking this journey with us as we explore, examine and celebrate manu-facturing… and hopefully, bring the sector into sharper focus.Tim Hocken EditorSuite 300, 7071 Bayers Rd. | Halifax, NS | B3L 2C2 | CanadaP: 1-647-479-2163 | E: info@fmgpublishing.commanufacturinginfocus.comEDITORTim HockenDEPUTY EDITORJaime McKeeDIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTRobert ChambersDIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONSColin O’NeillREGIONAL MANAGERSAdam Cameron | Ciaran DunneMANAGER OF TRAINING & DEVELOPMENTNate SeligRESEARCH MANAGERSErin Wells | David Ryan | Janna George | Marvin LeyteThoshlae Smith | Mary Hirtle | Ken Conway PRODUCTION COORDINATORClaire ChambersGRAPHIC DESIGNERSEbic Tristary | Yoana Ilcheva | Gavin BillingsLindsay Bailey | Akira ArrudaOPERATIONS MANAGERJonathan FisherCONTRIBUTING WRITERSRobert Hoshowsky | Ryan CartnerJen Hocken | Margaret Eaton | Samita Sarkar Laura McHargue | Mark Golombek | Pauline MüllerIan McCausland | Nate Hendley | Jessica FerlainoCOPY EDITORThora SmithSALES & MARKETINGPamela Taylor | Luke Simms | Lucy Palmer Dean Lucas | Kayla Brown | Shawn ClarkeCONTROLLERJen HamiltonPUBLISHERJeff Hocken 24-7 machining to meet your delivery requirements. Producing quality parts since 1981.Website: www.microcut.com Email: service@microcut.com Phone: 800-682-6162 Fax: 800-515-5299 3 INSIDE FEBRUARY Modern Methods & MaterialsAutomation & Control Systems 4 CONTENTSMetal Works & MachiningElectronics, Cables & Components 5 Are you planning an event relating to North America’s growing Manufacting Industry?To get your event listed in Manufacturing in Focus, please contact us at least six to eight weeks before the event takes place at info@fmgpublishing.com or call 1-647-479-2163WORKPLACE BULLYING 13 – 14 February, Chicago, ILThis workshop provides the interpersonal skills needed to develop a positive workplace culture, and addresses negative behaviours from dif-ferent angles. Assertiveness skills are integrated into the course for those who might feel targeted or have team members who are targeted by aggressive co-workers. Positive communication skills are demonstrated for those who may be too aggressive or have aggressive team members. The behaviour of bystanders is addressed by creating awareness about the importance of standing up for each other to create positive and productive workplace, and attendees will agree on a set of ground rules that can be used in their own workplace.For more information MIDWEST CRAFT CON 16 – 18 February, Columbus, OHThe Midwest Craft Con is a three-day retreat for mid-career crafters, makers and creative business owners. The conference will include inspi-rational keynote addresses, thought-provoking panel discussions, hands-on workshops and business-focused breakout sessions from experts from Ohio, the Midwest and beyond. But it won’t be all work: You’ll make new friends at our evening mixers, explore our trade show and network with makers. For more information TECHNOLOGY SCOUTING AND THE IMPLICATIONS OF CHANGE 8 – 9 March, Chicago, ILThis course will provide an overview of Technology Scouting and discuss different approaches and processes to integrate technology scouting into an organization’s overall strategic management framework. Some of the key tools and methods that can be applied to technology scouting will be examined, allowing attendees to take practical steps to implementing or improving their approach to managing technological change.For more information AEROSPACE RAW MATERIALS & MANUFACTURERS SUPPLY CHAIN CONFERENCE 12 March, Beverly Hills, CASpeedNews is pleased to present its 8th Annual Aerospace Raw Materials & Manufacturers Supply Chain Conference. This Conference is designed to serve a full range of materials and parts manufacturers in the dynamic global commercial and military aircraft markets. The agenda includes topics of interest for equipment OEMs, sub-tier manufacturers, supply chain executives, market analysts, investment bankers, and material and parts suppliers. Speakers will address a range of important topics including supply chain strategies, demand outlook for aerospace part manufacturers, market and supplier trends, innovation and technology, and the impact of new materials challenging traditional material manufacturing.For more information AMERICAN MANUFACTURING SUMMIT 27 – 28 March, Lombard, ILThe American Manufacturing Summit is a leadership-focused meeting designed around improving plant floor operations and manufacturing strategy across the globe. The Manufacturing Summit serves as an annual platform to exchange ideas around the impact of market dynamics and new technologies for current and future manufacturing, operations and supply chain leaders. This year’s Summit offers an opportunity to examine key case studies around how workforce management, lean manufacturing, process improvement and automation are being rolled out in the world’s best facilities.For more information INDUSTRY EVENTS6 INDUSTRY NEWSBOMBARDIER WINS VICTORY OVER BOEING IN C SERIES JET RULINGBombardier Inc. won a resounding victory Friday, Jan. 26, when the U.S. International Trade Commission eliminated nearly 300 percent in duties on its C Series commercial jet by unanimously voting against a petition filed by Boeing Co. Commissioners voted 4-0 that Boeing didn’t suffer harm from prospective imports of C Series planes.n“Today’s decision is a victory for innovation, com-petition, and the rule of law,” the Montreal-based manufacturer said in a news release moments after the vote was announced.The decision was a surprise for some observers who expected the commission would side with Boeing even though they believed the company sustained no harm. The decision caused Bombardier’s stock to shoot up to its highest level in three years. Shares gained nearly 15 per cent to $3.52 after the ruling. Bombardier also called it a victory for U.S. CONNECTIVITY FOR SMES IN MANUFACTURINGairlines and the American travelling public. “With this matter behind us, we are moving full speed ahead with finalizing our partnership with Airbus,” it added.Chicago-based Boeing said it is disappointed by the decision but will review the commission’s detailed opinions when they are released in the coming days. “We are disappointed that the International Trade Commission did not recognize the harm that Boeing has suffered from the billions of dollars in illegal government subsidies that the Department of Commerce found Bombardier received and used to dump aircraft in the U.S. small single-aisle airplane market,” it said in a statement.Boeing launched the trade case last April, arguing that govern-ments in Canada and Britain subsidized the plane’s develop-ment and allowed Bombardier to sell it at unfairly low prices.A recent study conducted by The Manu-facturer and Oracle | Netsuite explores how manufacturers have already imple-mented forms of factory connectivity. of UK manufacturing SME executives and decision-makers toward intelligence and connectivity. It showed that the vast majority of SME manufacturers (78%) already make use of industrial sensors.Furthermore, 60% have invested in alarms and alerts, 59% had implemented various forms of human-machine interfaces and just over half used a manufacturing execution system (MES) linked to an ERP system. While two-thirds (65%) of SMEs currently collect digital data from manu-facturing processes via shop floor data collection devices or manufacturing exe-cution systems, it means 35% do not.Approximately a quarter of SME manu-facturers are holding off on adopting connectivity, citing high initial develop-ment costs and a long payback period.7 INDUSTRY NEWSARCELORMITTAL INVESTS $70 MILLION TO MODERNIZE ITS CONTRECOEUR, QUEBEC FACILITIESArcelorMittal Long Products Canada announced an invest-ment of nearly CAD$70 million by 2020 in its Contrecoeur, Quebec steel production facilities, which will enable the company to maintain its leading position in steel in North America, with a focus on product quality through more modern plants and a reduced environmental footprint.ArcelorMittal will replace two reheating furnaces at its Contrecoeur-East wire rod mill and its Contrecoeur-West bar mill. These new furnaces, which aim to increase the company’s rolling capacity by 100,000 tonnes, will enable greater productivity, optimal energy use and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The work should extend until the first half of 2020. At the same time, ArcelorMittal will also be replacing the dust collector at the Contrecoeur-West steelworks by the end of 2018 to improve performance and increase health and safety. This work will cost approximately CAD$6 million.The investments were made possible in part by the Québec government’s electricity rebate program for L-rate customers. This electricity rebate is intended for compa-nies engaging in major investment projects in the manu-facturing sector as well as in the transformation of natural resources. The ArcelorMittal investment project rebate is currently estimated at CAD$25 million until 2020.François Perras, Chief Executive Officer, ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada, said, “We are renewing ArcelorMittal’s commitment to Quebec. Our choice to invest in the acqui-sition of high-performance equipment will help us acceler-ate our move towards high-value-added steel production, particularly for the automotive and construction industries. ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada will also be in a better position to meet its customers’ needs and face internation-al competition. Our workers’ ongoing efforts and govern-ment support have been instrumental in this investment decision. With this modernization plan, we will continue to play a major role in our communities by supporting over 1,700 direct jobs and converting our natural resources right here in Quebec.”8 INDUSTRY NEWSOTTAWA-BASED SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT FIRM KINAXIS SIGNS DEAL WITH TOYOTATRUMP TARIFFS ON SOLAR PANELS, WASHING MACHINES COULD RAISE PRICESA Canadian technology company that develops software to help companies manage and optimize their supply chains has signed a major new automotive client.Earlier this week, Kinaxis Inc. said it has struck a deal with Toyota Motor Corp. The agreement will see the Ottawa-based business take over management of certain aspects of the Japanese auto-maker’s sprawling supply chain. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but Kinaxis said Toyota will replace the manual planning system it cur-rently uses with Kinaxis’ cloud-based supply chain software. The company touts its system—marketed as Rapi-dResponse—as being faster and more adaptable to real-world disruptions than “legacy” software currently in use at many companies.Toyota said it expects the deal to help it make better use of its inventory and improve supply chain planning between its sales and production divisions.No stranger to the auto industry, Kinaxis inked a similar deal with Nissan Motor Co. last year.Prices for washing machines and solar panels are likely to rise while tens of thousands of Americans could lose jobs following President Trump’s decision to slap hefty tariffs on imports of those products in a bid to aid U.S. manufacturers, industry officials say.“It’s likely this will result in higher prices and fewer choices for consumers,” says John Taylor, senior vice president for LG Electronics, a South Korean maker of washing machines. And Abigail Harper, CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Associa-tion (SEIA), a trade group, says the duties “will create a crisis in a part of our economy that has been thriving, which will ultimately cost thousands of hard-working, blue-collar Ameri-cans their jobs.”Yet some U.S. manufacturing advocates say worries about soaring prices are premature and the move will ultimately create more jobs than it destroys as Trump moves to back up his “America First” credo. “You’ll see more manufacturing workers in more states making more products with more inno-vation and R&D,” says Scott Paul, president of the Alliance for American Manufacturing, a trade group. Trump approved recommendations by the U.S. Trade Rep-resentative to impose tariffs of up to 50% on imported large washing machines and parts, and up to 30% on solar panels. The tax on washing machines decreases and then expires after three years, while the duty on solar cells and modules phases out after four years.9 Next >