4 minute read
NEWS
AUTOMOTIVE
GENERAL MOTORS REOPENS OSHAWA ASSEMBLY
General Motors Canada has begun production at its Oshawa Assembly plant, with the first Chevrolet Silverado rolling off the line.
The re-opening has created 1,800 new jobs (two shifts of production at the plant), as well as creating many more cascading jobs, in the Canadian supplier base.
“The reopening of Oshawa Assembly is an historic accomplishment for GM Canada and our many community partners who worked together to bring us to this very happy day,” said Scott Bell, President and Managing Director, GM Canada. “The rapid retooling, hiring, and training needed to reach today’s start of production was an extraordinary accomplishment. We continue our work with the federal and Ontario governments toward even larger transformative investments in Canada and we are especially pleased that the first truck off the line will help GM and our Canadian dealers raise money for Sharon’s Kids, one of our favourite charities in Durham Region.”
The plant, which most recently built the Chevrolet Camaro, Impala, Cadillac XTS, and others, before it was shut down a few years ago, will now be building pick-ups, including the Silverado.
Oshawa Assembly was retooled quickly and is designed to be flexible. Shipments of trucks to dealers will begin in December 2021.
As part of the reopening, GM Canada will raffle one of its first vehicles to dealers to benefit the Durham Children’s Aid Foundation.
MAGNA CELEBRATES OPENING OF NEW SEATING PLANT IN SERBIA
Magna announced the opening of its new plant in the southern Serbian city of Aleksinac with the President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, and members of government and other local representatives. The greenfield facility, which covers an area of approximately 8,300 square metres, currently employs 780 people, with the expectation to potentially increase the workforce up to approximately 1,000 employees by the end of 2022. The new facility is Magna’s second plant in Serbia and 36th overall throughout Eastern Europe. The new plant will produce seat trim covers and leather kits for a European automaker.
Photo: Kryton International Inc. MANUFACTURING
KRYTON BUILDS NEW FACILITY IN CALGARY, ALBERTA
Kryton International Inc. has completed the construction of a manufacturing facility in Calgary, Alberta.
The plant is operated by Cementec Industries Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Kryton acquired in 2017. Cementec manufactures and distributes Hard-Cem, an integral hardening admixture that increases concrete resistance to abrasion and erosion.
Cementec is also the only manufacturer of silica fume products in Western North America. Con-Fume is used to add durability to concrete construction, and XL-Fume is used in mining, oil, and gas infrastructure.
Built on 4.5 acres, the facility is designed to accommodate 10 times the output of the previous plant to ensure a stable supply chain for customers locally, and as a specialty export to Kryton’s worldwide distribution network. WOMEN IN MANUFACTURING
MASCO CANADA DIRECTOR NAMED TO WOMEN EXECUTIVE NETWORK’S 2021 LIST OF CANADA’S MOST POWERFUL WOMEN
Lindsay Barber, Masco Canada’s Director of Product Management, has been named a winner of the 2021 Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Awards released by Women’s Executive Network (WXN) along with presenting partners KPMG and Mercedes-Benz Canada.
The award recognizes “105 outstanding women across Canada who advocate for workforce diversity and inspire tomorrow’s leaders.”
Barber joined Masco Canada in 2002 in the customer service department based in St. Thomas, Ontario, where her role evolved into several positions within forecasting, analytics and sales, leading some of Masco’s largest retail customers. After being identified as top talent for Masco Canada, Barber’s performance saw her tasked with forming a new vision to run Masco’s plumbing portfolio as Director of Product Management in 2019.
Having founded “Believe Army” in 2011 to raise awareness for ALS, Barber’s leadership efforts have raised over $1 million for the cause. Barber is also an engaged committee member for the Hospice of Elgin and sits on the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating Women’s Network committee.
CYBERSECURITY
IBM CANADA AND UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA TO ESTABLISH A FACILITY FOR CYBERSECURITY THREATS TRAINING
IBM and the University of Ottawa announced a multi-year partnership to build and operate a Cyber Range; a learning facility that will enable research and training in cybersecurity and cyber safety.
As part of the agreement, IBM is making a $21-million contribution to the University over five years to support business development and security training, while uOttawa will invest nearly $7 million over the same period.
The Cyber Range will allow users to run a suite of cyberattack and cyber threat simulations using sophisticated technology and software tools, replicating real-life cyber event scenarios that aim to empower their response readiness.
The Cyber Range will train participants on how to properly plan, respond, manage, contain, and remediate a cyber incident, helping them gain an understanding of the skills and preparation necessary to anticipate and defend against current and future threats.
TECHNOLOGY
SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC CANADA PARTNERS WITH OPTIMACH
Schneider Electric Canada announced a partnership with OptiMach, a Quebec-based robotics company.
The partnership will serve small to large manufacturing industries across the Quebec and north New Brunswick markets, with a focus on food processing, wood mill production and transformation, packaging and custom-made solutions.
OptiMach utilizes robotics and technology to advance efficiency in manufacturing, transformation and production sectors.
The partnership will see Schneider Electric provide a range of solutions to OptiMach, including motion, robots, automation, control, and advisor software.
Photo: Schneider Electric Canada Inc.
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