CELEBRATING A DECADE OF PEOPLE-LED SUCCESS Vector Controls and Automation Group RAISING THE BAR FOR 3D PRINTING Raise3D Technologies CUSTOMER CARE IN CHANGING TIMES ASI, a Division of Thermal Technologies MANUFACTURINGINFOCUS.COM M A RC H 2 O 23AUTOMATION FOR EVERY OPERATION Explore which options work for you! www.e-ci.com/operation-automation No two projects are alike that is why we offer Watch Roboform Overview 2022 Q3_Mfg in Focus_Full Page.indd 12022 Q3_Mfg in Focus_Full Page.indd 16/6/2022 1:28:16 PM6/6/2022 1:28:16 PM AUTOMATION FOR EVERY OPERATION Explore which options work for you! www.e-ci.com/operation-automation No two projects are alike that is why we offer Watch Roboform Overview 2022 Q3_Mfg in Focus_Full Page.indd 12022 Q3_Mfg in Focus_Full Page.indd 16/6/2022 1:28:16 PM6/6/2022 1:28:16 PMEDITOR’S CORNER 3 Innovation is the beating heart of the manufacturing industry, and so in honour of International Women’s Day, we have chosen to pay tribute to some of the female inventors who have truly changed the world. However, while researching material for her piece, Allison Dempsey started to learn how the gender gap that exists in STEM professions was even more present in patenting activity. “Patents are associated with pay raises and financial incen- tives in several scientific domains, but even in the innovation sector, women still make less money than men,” she writes. “Encouraging more women inventors to participate in the pat- enting process can not only aid in reducing the salary gap between men and women, but, just as importantly, can encour- age the next generation of women to enter the STEM workforce.” In her latest piece, Dare, Dream, Discover – The Women Behind Incredible Inventions, Allison makes a sound argument for increasing the visibility of female innovators in schools and she shines the spotlight on some inspiring women inventors. Tim Hocken Editor Suite 300, 7071 Bayers Rd. | Halifax, NS | B3L 2C2 | Canada P: 1-647-479-2163 | E: EDITOR Tim Hocken DEPUTY EDITOR Jaime McKee COPY EDITORS Thora Smith | Allister Havercroft CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Claire Suttles | William Young | Jessica Ferlaino Allison Dempsey | Pauline Müller | Robert Hoshowsky DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS James Corbett CONTENT MANAGERS Louis Susara | Lily Mitchell Wendy Hood-Morris | Coleman Merry SALES TEAM Pamela Taylor | Morgan Culpepper | Dean Lucas OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Julia MacQueen GRAPHIC DESIGN MANAGER Severina Gachparova GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Laura Pratt | Ashley Dowling Ebic Tristary | Yoana Ilcheva CONTROLLER Jen Hamilton PUBLISHER Jeff Hocken “Encouraging more women inventors to participate in the patenting process… can encourage the next generation of women to enter the STEM workforce.”INSIDE MARCH FABRICATION & MACHINING ELECTRONICS & MECHANICAL COMPONENTS AUTOMATION MODERN METHODS & MATERIALS 4 The Women Behind Incredible Inventions There’s a fine line between inventor and innovator, between not only finding a niche that needs filling, but creating the very solution that changes lives for the better. Inventors have the unique ability to think creatively and produce original ideas that have made vast differences for humanity over the years, and even though throughout history some of the most notable inventions to date have been made by women, men have been credited and recognized for their creations much more often. 5 MANUFACTURING IN FOCUS NATURAL PRODUCTS EXPO WEST 7 – 11 March 2023, Anaheim, CA Produced by New Hope Network, Natural Products Expo West is co-located at the Anaheim Convention Center with Fresh Ideas Organic Marketplace. With educational events, an expansive trade show, the Pitch Slam Semifinals and celebration, and numerous opportunities for networking, this Expo offers something for everyone. For more information PROMAT 2023 20 – 23 March, Chicago, IL With over 1,000 of the world’s leading manufacturing and supply chain solution providers under one roof, you can see firsthand what the future holds, and find the tools you need to shockproof your operations and move your business forward. Themed, ‘Touch the Future of Supply Chains,’ ProMat features hands-on demonstrations, 150 educational seminars, and four exciting keynote speeches. Connect with your peers and learn the latest trends and technologies that can help you touch the future of supply chain success. For more information A&D RAW MATERIALS AND MANUFACTURING CONFERENCE 17 – 18 April, Atlanta, GA Aviation Week Network’s A&D Raw Materials and Manufacturing Conference gathers stakeholders in the aerospace raw materials and manu- facturing industries, from OEMs to tier 3 and 4 suppliers. The program covers raw materials and manufacturing operations, capabilities and processes, innovation within manufacturing, modern machining technologies and industry automation. The two-day conference will take a deep dive into commercial and defense raw materials and manufacturing challenges. For more information SUPPLYSIDE EAST 18 – 19 April, Secaucus, NJ Informa Markets’ SupplySide East, the East Coast’s leading ingredients and supply-chain solutions trade show, welcomes health and nutrition industry decision-makers from leading companies to connect with top suppliers and service providers featuring the most innovative ingredi- ents and formulation techniques to drive brands forward. Attendees will have ample opportunities to discover the latest and most innovative ingredients and solutions on the market and network with health and nutrition industry professionals from across the globe. For more information INTERNATIONAL POWDER & BULK SOLIDS CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION 25 – 27 April, Rosemont, IL The International Powder & Bulk Solids Conference & Exhibition, also known as “The Powder Show,” is the only event in the western hemisphere bringing together the powder & bulk solids handling and dry processing sector—the community of OEMs, process engineers, and executives whose activity accounts for 70% of the manufacturing lifecycle of every product on Earth. Whether you work in food, pharmaceutical, metals, or personal care, attend The Powder Show to discover the latest technologies, find new suppliers, and make professional connections with thousands of executives and engineers. For more information INDUSTRY EVENTS 6 Are you planning an event relating to North America’s growing Manufacturing 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 or call 1-647-479-2163INDUSTRY NEWS MAGNA BUILDING NEW BATTERY PLANT Canadian automobile parts giant Magna International recently announced it is making a $470 million investment in a new battery assembly plant in Ontario. The 500,000 square foot facility, slated to be built in Brampton, will help automaker Ford meet increasing demand for its all-electric F-150 Lightning pickup truck. The investment will also support future Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) programs. Along with the new Burlington plant, Magna has announced expansion in five other locations across the province: Guelph, Belleville, Newmarket, Windsor, and Penetanguishene. The expansions come on the heels of several new business awards from different automakers in key product areas, and $23.6 million in grants from the Ontario government. It is expected Magna’s new and expanded operations will welcome over 1,000 new jobs to the province in the coming years. “Magna’s roots in Ontario run deep, and we are excited about opening a new facility dedicated to a strategic electrification product,” stated Eric Wilds, Magna Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, in a media release. “The Brampton facility, coupled with investment and growth in five existing Ontario facilities, allows Magna to keep up with customer demands across several product areas. We are excited to bring new business, more investment and additional jobs to Ontario.” Others, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford, expressed their enthusiasm for the recent investment and the high confidence it shows in the province’s auto sector. “Together, with our industry partners, we’re putting Ontario back on the map as we build up Ontario’s electric vehicle supply chain from mining to manufacturing,” stated Premier Ford. “The cars of the future and the batteries that power them will be built right here in Ontario, by Ontario workers.” At present, Magna International has 49 manufacturing facilities and over 18,500 employees across Canada. 7INDUSTRY NEWS CANADIAN GOVERNMENT INVESTING IN CLEANTECH The push toward a sustainable future is everywhere today, including manufacturing. Recently, the Government of Canada showed its support by investing in 17 Canadian clean- tech companies nationwide. Short for ‘clean technology,’ cleantech refers to businesses and technologies improving environmental sustainability. In Canada, cleantech companies are active in many areas, includ- ing manufacturing, sustainable agriculture, water security, and energy-efficient building technologies. Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, announced $68.2 million in investments toward 17 Canadian cleantech com- panies. The investments were made through Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC). Funding from SDTC will help these businesses develop clean technologies aimed at creating environmental and economic benefits for Canadians in areas ranging from energy conservation, waste manage- ment, and transportation to agriculture and agrifood, energy exploration, and power generation. Some companies include Calgary’s Arolytics—a women-led cleantech startup developing software enabling oil and gas companies “to identify cost-effective solutions to their emission management challenges,” according to a media release; Edmonton’s Aurora Hydrogen, a cleantech startup pioneering a process using microwaves to produce turquoise hydrogen without direct CO 2 emissions or water consumption; and Hortau out of Quebec, which is developing a crop management platform that using wireless sensor networks and artificial intel- ligence “to anticipate crop stress and optimize plant growth.” In 2021, clean technology businesses contributed over $28.2 billion to Canada’s economy, exporting $9.2 billion in goods and services. That same year, cleantech companies employed more than 188,000 Canadians in well-paying, rewarding jobs. “Canada's entrepreneurs have the ideas that will help solve some of our planet's most pressing environmental problems, but they cannot do it alone,” said Leah Lawrence, President and CEO, Sustainable Development Technology Canada, in a statement. “With our support and funding at all stages of devel- opment, we are helping companies reach commercialization faster so that they can tap into the strong global demand for sustainable solutions across every sector of the economy.” The nation is fast becoming a worldwide leader in cleantech companies. Thirteen Canadian businesses—10 of them having received funding through SDTC—placed on the 2022 Global Cleantech 100 list. “Our government is proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with these groundbreaking companies as they drive innovation and make their mark as international leaders in clean technol- ogy,” stated Minister Champagne. “We will continue to support cleantech companies as they turn their vision into action to grow the economy and create well-paying jobs in this industry.” Since it was created in 2001, SDTC has invested over $1.58 billion in more than 500 companies, generating $3.1 billion in annual revenues, creating 20,942 jobs, bringing 194 new technologies to market, “and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 22.6 megatonnes of CO 2 annually, which is equivalent to taking almost seven million cars off the road every year.” 8INDUSTRY NEWS TESLA WORKERS FIRED AFTER UNION PUSH Even though we are well into the new year, troubling times continue for manufacturer Tesla, with the past few months seeing the company carry out a massive 363,000 vehicle recall due to ‘full self-driving’ software safety risks, slash prices for new models—much to the dismay of existing owners—and face claims of falsely advertising its costly Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, an add-on autopilot system. Recently, Tesla came under fire when the National Labor Relations Board received a filing about software workers being fired from the company’s Buffalo plant. According to the filing, about 18 employees were dismissed less than 24 hours after they stated their intent to unionize. The Board is an independent U.S. federal agency “that protects the rights of most private-sector employees to join together, with or without a union, to improve their wages and working con- ditions,” according to its website. Organizers stated that the firings were “in retaliation for union activity and to discourage union activity,” adding that the number of workers involved was as high as 37. According to Tesla, the Buffalo facility has about 2,000 workers, and makes solar panels and other charging components. Elon Musk, Tesla’s Chief Executive, has stated his opposition to unions in the past, to the point that his opinions have resulted in an entire Wikipedia page titled, “Tesla and unions.” Tesla has addressed the anti-union claims on its website, calling the allegations false. The company states that it conducts performance review cycles every six months, where staff have a performance rating from one to five “in each cycle that helps them calibrate their work with the expectations of their job,” according to Tesla. “In the worst case, if an employee fails to meet their performance expectations they will be let go.” This review process, said the company, takes place globally, not localized to Buffalo. The company goes on to state that its latest recent performance review cycle was July 2022 through December, with exits for low performers starting the week of February 12, 2023, adding, “Approximately 4% of the employees on the Autopilot labeling team in Buffalo were exited as a result of this performance review cycle. The employees let go as part of this process received prior feedback on their poor performance from their managers over the course of the review period. Despite feedback, they did not demonstrate sufficient improvement.” shutterstock.com / Nadezda Murmakova 9Next >