EVENTS
FEATURE
CMTS connects attendees digitally and in-person
BY MARYAM FARAG
8
Plant / November/December 2021
from NGen, outlined how manufacturers need a plan now to turn challenges into business opportunities, and how advanced technologies will play a role. Day three’s keynote “Our Real Electric Future” was presented by Flavio Volpe, Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association, as he discussed electrification of the automobile, governments switch over by 2035, and the “real future - a mix of successes and failures of the tug-of-war over retiring internal combustion.” Day three’s panel “Driving Transformation: Enhancing Wellness, Safety, and Security in Manufacturing” was moderated by Erin Hartnett, TELUS Business, and panelists included Damien Johnston and Marshall Berkin, TELUS Business, Mathew Wilson, Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, discussed how manufacturing leaders can bridge the digital divide; integrating new technologies to overcome key industry issues such as attracting and retaining talent amid a skills shortage, increasing employee engagement and productivity by prioritizing health and well-being, creating safer work environments for workers, and mitigating the potential risk and cost of a cyberattack.
Panel discussions, keynotes, and technical sessions took place at the Smart Theatre/ SME Zone.
On the final day, the keynote focused on “Building the Manufacturing Workforce for the Future”. Robert Cattle, Executive Director, Canadian Tooling & Machining Association (CTMA) discussed the CTMA Career Ready program, its focus and how companies and people can participate in it, Ontario’s current school systems, and how to help build the manufacturing workforce for the future. Day four also saw a panel discussion themed “Welder Education for Today’s Workforce”, moderated by Trent Konrad, Canadian Welding Bureau, with panelists Kevin Bryenton, Ironworkers International, Ray Lemieux, UA Canada, and Scott Wideman, Volkswagen Group Canada Inc., discussed how organizations and businesses adapt to technologies, training, recruitment, retention, and overall productivity, while outlining some of the current state challenges in the welding industry today. Annex Business Media was a part of the event, as media sponsor and exhibitor, representing its manufacturing groups brands: PLANT, M a ch i n e r y and Equipment MRO, Canadian Manufacturing, Design Engineering, and Manufacturing Automation. PLANT.CA
Photot: Mario Cywinski
T
he Canadian Manufacturing Technology Show (CMTS) recently took place at The International Centre in Toronto, Ont. CMTS offered a mix of live technology on display, with keynotes, panel discussions and technical sessions. CMTS LIVE! digital experience was a new feature at CMTS 2021, which was a digital complement to the in-person event and was available during and after CMTS for 60 days. The event featured manufacturing technologies at over 100 exhibits. The advanced manufacturing space included additive manufacturing, automation, robotics, design engineering, Industry 4.0 and IIoT.The machining and metalworking space included machine tools, tooling and work holding, metalworking, measurement and Inspection, and finishings and coatings. Day one’s keynote “Geopolitical Risks and How to Manage Them” was presented by Courtney Rickert McCaffrey, EY Geostrategic Business Group. She explored the key political risks manufacturers face and how they can manage them in today’s volatile global environment. Day one saw a panel presentation; “Building a Resilient Supply Chain: Enabling Speed and Agility to Protect your Customer and your Bottom Line.” Panelists outlined what a resilient supply chain looks like, how to identify risk across a global value network, and what is being done to protect customers from a wide variety of supply chain disruptions. On day two, Mike Brownhill, Export Development Canada discussed how manufacturing companies have navigated disruptive events, sharing lessons learned over the years from companies who have survived and thrived through challenging circumstances, and how these lessons can be applied going forward. Brownhill also shared how opportunities are developing for companies focused on ESG (environmental, social, and governance) in their operations in his keynote presentation “Back to Global Business: Managing Risk & Seizing Opportunity Amongst Black Swans.” Jayson Myers and Gillian Sheldon
