Manufacts Newsletter August 2012

ManuFacts

#3

2012

A Newsletter for Manufacturers in Huron County

People are Talking About the New WindTrans Zelda PHD

Pump Demo a Great Success.

On July 26, 2012 at WindTrans in Seaforth the new Zelda PHD was put through its paces. Approximately 40 people were on hand to observe the demonstration of WindTran’s Zelda PHD in action.

The pump is capable of moving all types of liquids from water to molasses. WindTrans demonstrated the pump in a number of applications including moving water and generating energy. Through hand cranking, they were able to easily lift water 15 feet into the air. Next the group went outside to watch a demonstration of pumping thirty feet of head via a hand crank. Applications for the new pump are wide ranging. The Zelda pump is expected to be popular

in the food processing industry for moving liquids like tomato paste.

WindTrans demonstrated how the pump can be used to generate renewable energy when water is released from a height to run through the pump.

This technology could be used for hydro-electric applications or even combined with other technology like wind energy to create stored energy solutions.

On hand to watch the demonstration were Ron Schefter and Brent McKague of R&R Machine & Tool.

R&R Machine & Tool helped WindTrans to manufacture the Zelda PHD prototype.

Representatives from Conestoga College and McMaster University were also on

Inquiries can be directed to the Huron Manufacturing Association, 57 Napier St., Goderich ON N7A 1W2. Phone 519-524-8394 ext 3/ Fax 519-524-5677

Cont’d on page 4

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Parent Company of E.D. Smith of Seaforth Announces Plans to Close Plant in 2013

August 2012

Fanshawe to Offer Courses at REACH

Fanshawe College has announced a new location in Clinton for its programs. The College, in partnership with the Regional Equine and Agricultural Centre of Huron (REACH), has announced the creation of the new educational partnership located at REACH.

Three courses will be offered starting in the fall of 2012, with plans for further expansion already underway. The announcement is a significant stepping stone in the partnership between Fanshawe College and REACH Huron.

Local salad dressing manufacturer E.D. Smith of Seaforth will close next year according to an announcement from the parent company Treehouse Foods.

E.D. Smith was the winner of the 2011 Huron County Manufacturer of the Year Award. Management and employees at the plant have worked hard to make improvements in efficiency, heath & safety and environmentalism. The announcement comes as a shock to the Huron County community. The plant recently celebrated 4 years of no lost time accidents.

The HMA recently nominated E.D. Smith for a provincial environmental award. Treehouse cites opportunities for improved efficiencies by moving salad dressing production to their other facilities. Below is an excerpt from the announcement: Production at the Company’s Seaforth, Ontario, Canada salad dressing facility is expected to cease in the second quarter of 2013, with full plant closure expected in the third quarter of 2013. The Seaforth Plant has approximately 180 employees. Production will be moved to other manufacturing facilities within the Company’s existing network.

Chairman, President and CEO of Treehouse Foods Inc. Sam Reed said, “...we are closing our Seaforth, Ontario salad dressing plant. The closure will lead to increased efficiencies as we move dressing production to those plants where we have expanded capacity and invested in new lines over the last two years.”

"This is an exciting opportunity for the College and we believe having a formal presence here in Central Huron will be a terrific asset to our long term plans for growth in this area," said Tom Pickard, Fanshawe College Manager of Workforce Development and Continuing Education. "Fanshawe College has had programming in this area for approximately five years and we have seen continual growth over that period. The cornerstone of our future growth will be this new partnership."

Tom Pickard of Fanshawe makes the announcement with Jeff Marshall of REACH looking on. Photo: Bullet News Huron

The College will also have a satellite office at the centre and Jeff Marshall, Executive Director of REACH Huron, says the partnership is only the beginning to a strong and sustainable future with Fanshawe College.

"REACH Huron is excited to be partnering with a

Inquiries can be directed to the Huron Manufacturing Association, 57 Napier St., Goderich ON N7A 1W2. Phone 519-524-8394 ext 3/ Fax 519-524-5677

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world-leading college such as Fanshawe," Marshall said. "This partnership is a strong foundation not only for our facilities, but for our community and everyone in the four counties which will be served."

Marshall says they are in the process of introducing Fanshawe College staff and facilitators to the REACH Huron Centre and they look forward to building strong working relationships.

Food & Agriculture Networking Group

On June 28, 2012 members of the Food & Agriculture Networking Group (FANG) toured E.D. Smith and learned about Conestoga College’s Institute of Food Processing Technology.

Members of FANG in attendance included representatives from Huron manufacturers such as Kenpal Farm Produts Inc., Everspring Farms, Hayter Turkey Products, The Garlic Box and Gordon’s Goat Dairy.

Tom Michalek, Plant Manager of E.D. Smith led the group on the tour of the plant. Tom proudly announced that E.D. Smith’s customer, Safeway had just won a Grand Prix New Product Award in the private label category for an all natural salad dressing that E.D. Smith prepares for them. The Grand Prix New Product Awards are presented annually by the Retail Council of Canada.

The August 8th announcement that E.D. Smith will close its doors in 2013 comes as a shock to members of FANG. There was no indication at the time of FANG’s visit that an announcement was imminent. However, the fact that the company is owned by an American parent company meant that this was always a possibility. In recent years the same parent company closed a plant in Cambridge.

Following the tour the group discussed issues of importance to food processing manufacturers like food safety regulations, clean up regimes, labour force issues and supervision and management of employees.

Susan McLachlan, Communications Officer from the Institute of Food Processing Technology (IFCP) at

August 2012

Conestoga College presented to the group and gave out a folder of information to all the meeting participants.

The IFCP is located at a new campus in Cambridge.

The Alliance of Food Processors has their office there too. It is the only school of its kind in Canada.

Research done by the Alliance of Food Processors found that there was a need for training more skilled workers and need for supervisor training.

This was the reason why the IFTP was created.

Susan described the full and part time courses that are available at the IFTP. The part-time courses are geared to students that are already employed. The courses run for 15 weeks for 6 hours on a Saturday.

Part-time courses include Food Processing Supervisor, Advanced Sanitation Practices, Food Safety and Process Operator—Food Manufacturing Apprenticeship.

The programs are designed to maximize the benefits of in-school and on-the-job training. As such, the school is interested in partnering with food processing manufacturers who wish to receive co-op students and unpaid interns. Participating manufacturers can receive other benefits for partnering with the school, such as government tax incentives.

Manufacturers looking to train groups of 8 or more new employees could partner with IFTP to provide training.

For more information about the Institute of Food Processing Technology visit www.ifpt.ca.

Packaging & Assembly Services Available in Huron

Bob and Joan Tyerman of Brussels are available to provide services for your assembly and packaging needs. This couple has over four years of experience in the plumbing parts assembly business but business has literally “dried up” due to the dry weather we have had. They are interested in taking on some new jobs for local manufacturers. Phone: (519) 8876924 Cell: (519) 357-5349

Inquiries can be directed to the Huron Manufacturing Association, 57 Napier St., Goderich ON N7A 1W2. Phone 519-524-8394 ext 3/ Fax 519-524-5677

Huron Manufacturin

ManuFacts

hand. Windtrans partnered with McMaster University through a federal NSERC Engage Grant. The grant allowed WindTrans to access technical expertise for R&D at McMaster University. Conestoga College was also a partner on the project. Dr. Min Chen and student Matthew Chermesnock helped with design and engineering solutions. Dr. Min Chen helped to demonstrate the data acquisition software that Conestoga provided for the performance testing of the Zelda PHD. Greg Robertson the Director of Applied Research and Innovation for Conestoga College expressed a desire to work with more Huron manufacturers on similar projects. Paul Grunthal, Business Development Advisor at the McMaster Industry Liaison Office shared information with the HMA about how Huron manufacturers can apply for their own NSERC grant.

HMA Board Member, Andrew Masse HMA board member, Andrew Masse has been instrumental in the development of the Zelda project.

Andrew has served on the HMA board of directors for three years. Andrew is currently the chair of the Manufacturing Excellence Awards Committee and has promoted connections between the HMA and post-secondary institutions. The HMA is currently seeking new board members to join Andrew and the rest of the HMA board for a two year term.

New Exporters to Border States (NEBS) Mission to Buffalo September 12-13, 2012

Huron manufacturers are cordially invited to participate in the next NEBS Mission to Buffalo on Wednesday, September 12 and Thursday, September 13, 2012.

NEBS is a practical, cost-effective program ideally suited to give Ontario manufacturers, distributors, agents and other business professionals the tools they need to easily expand their business interests across the border. The NEBS program offers guidelines to Ontario businesses for USA sales, shipping and business transactions. The NEBS program is organized by the International Trade Branch of the Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation.

Expert briefings on a range of topics include dealing with border issues such as U.S. business travel and immigration requirements, currency exchange options, business planning, taxation, and legal considerations and U.S. Customs clearance procedures.

Participants will visit a fulfillment warehouse in Buffalo. In addition, a briefing on provincial trade programs and services will be provided.

Follow HMA on Twitter: @HMACoordinator

g Association If your company has been in business for at least one year and has a manufacturing or service based in Ontario and you are interested in participating, please contact (Elaine.marks@ontario.ca) Elaine Marks, Program Coordinator for additional information, or call 416-325-6665.

Time to Nominate for Manufacturing Excellence Awards

Reply to Elaine as soon as possible to confirm your place in the mission because space is limited.

The NEBS registration fee is $150 per participant.

Future missions are planned for November 7th and 8th, 2012 and Feb. 20th and 21st, 2013.

HMA Full Member, John Kloeze of Actium Resources participated in the NEBS mission earlier this year. He decided to take advantage of the opportunity to find U.S. customers within a reasonable distance from his manufacturing facility in Goderich. Actium Resources makes batch and continuous flow composters. Currently Actium is marketing to agricultural customers within the poultry industry. Actium’s composters are an attractive solution for dealing with livestock mortality.

When asked about the benefit of the NEBS mission for manufacturers Kloeze says, “If you are thinking about doing it you should just do it. It is very affordable. It only costs $150, plus your hotel room. It’s a no-brainer. It only takes two days”.

Nominations Open for the 2012

The HMA is now accepting nominations for all eligible individuals or companies for the 2012 Manufacturing Excellence Awards.

Junior Manufacturer of the Year Award – will be awarded to an individual under 30 years of age who is working in a manufacturing business in Huron County and has made a significant contribution to his or her workplace.

Youth Integration Award – will be awarded to a Huron County manufacturer that has excelled in hiring and retaining young people and implemented progressive initiatives for advancing young people within the company.

Innovative Manufacturing Award – will be awarded to a Huron County manufacturer who has implemented significant process improvements, organizational improvements or expansions and has demonstrated competitive success, innovation and leadership.

Innovative Product Award – will be awarded to a Huron County manufacturer who has successfully met the challenge of transforming a good idea into a product on the market since 2007.

The winning product will chosen based on innovation, creativity, acceptance in the marketplace, delivery of value to customers, competitive advantages and business success.

Corporate Citizenship Award—will be awarded to a manufacturing company in Huron Cont’d on page 8

For Up-To-Date News Visit: www.huronmanufacturing.ca

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August 2012

Huron Manufacturers Invited to Attend Free Session on Energy Concerns.

Across Canada, manufacturers are facing critical challenges. EMC resumes our 2012 Industry Briefing schedule with important discussions on the challenges, strategies, opportunities and solutions which manufacturers are adopting in order to increase their competitiveness. This session focuses on strategies being adopted by manufacturers in response to high energy prices. This session is being offered free of charge in Huron County for the benefit of Huron manufacturers through a partnership between EMC and HMA. Event Location: Gnutti Ltd

404 Canada Avenue, Huron Park, ON N0M 1Y0

Please note that pre-registration is required for these free EMC events.

Visit www.huronmanufacturing.ca to register.

Presenters:

Scott McNeil-Smith EMC’s Director of Marketing & Development Scott spearheaded the design and deployment of EMC’s Energy Initiatives over five years ago, which now provides expertise and services to hundreds of EMC members and is the largest group purchaser of energy for manufacturers in Canada.

Margaret Harrison Member Services Manager for EMC’s Energy Group (ECNG)

Along with EMC, she is coordinates market intelligence, strategy performance and energy group activities, providing hands-on service for members as a lead contact.

Inquiries can be directed to the Huron Manufacturing Association, 57 Napier St., Goderich ON N7A 1W2. Phone 519-524-8394 ext 3/ Fax 519-524-5677

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HMA Annual General Meeting

Attendance was up at this years AGM. HMA members and Associate members enjoyed a delicious buffet dinner at the White Carnation in Holmesville and enjoyed some networking with fellow members.

Huron County Economic Development Officer, Mike Pullen highlighted the state of the Huron County economy. Dale Donaldson of Everspring Farms was the guest speaker. He spoke about his company’s development of their Smartgrain product.

August 2012

HMA Saddened by Death of Former Board Member Gerry Cumming

The HMA recently learned that a former board member has passed away. The following obituary was published by the McBurney Funeral Home in Wingham.

The purpose of the AGM is to ensure that members have a say in the operations of the HMA. However, members are encouraged to be involved in the business of the association year round. If a member has a question or concern they can speak to the HMA Coordinator or one of the HMA board members.

Meetings of the board of directors are held on the second Tuesday of the month and are open to all.

At Wingham & District Hospital on Friday, July 20, 2012, Gerry Cumming of Wingham, age 60 years.

Beloved mother of Jason Decator (Sarah) of Toronto, Rebecca Cumming of Wingham, Amy Adams (Dennis) of Wingham, and Jill Lavigne (Bill) of Austin, Texas. Loving grandmother of Rory, Maeve, Julie, James, Joshua, Ethan and Lilly. Sister of Frank Carere (Bonnie) of Drayton, John Carere (Jean) of Burlington, Pauline Roberts (John) of Ayr, Fred Carere (Christine) of Moorefield and Marie Smith of Innisfil. Also survived by several nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents Thomas and Germaine Carere. A celebration of Gerry's life will be held in September. Memorial donations to Wingham and District Hospital Foundation would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.

Gerry was an independent financial planner and served as an Associate Member on the HMA board of directors for three years. She brought new innovations to the Manufacturing Excellence Awards as the chair of that committee for two years.

Gerry made a lasting contribution to the Manufacturing Excellence Awards through her impeccable style and taste. She was instrumental in developing the video profiles of the award nominees, which has become a popular feature of the awards.

Gerry will be remembered by her Huron Manufacturing Association friends for her passion and commitment to her professional and volunteer work.

Inquiries can be directed to the Huron Manufacturing Association, 57 Napier St., Goderich ON N7A 1W2. Phone 519-524-8394 ext 3/ Fax 519-524-5677

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that has made outstanding contributions to their community and to the Huron Manufacturing Association.

Outstanding Associate Member Award – will be awarded to an associate member of the Huron Manufacturing Association who showed substantial involvement with the HMA and has assisted in promoting the goals of the HMA for a strong manufacturing sector in Huron County.

Green Leader Award – will be awarded to a Huron County manufacturer who has demonstrated leadership in development of environmentally sustainable processes, policies and products.

Employer of the Year Award – will be awarded to a Huron County manufacturer who has strived to retain their current employees through innovative ideas and professional development.

Exporting Award – will be awarded to a Huron County manufacturer who has achieved exporting success with improved sales figures outside Canada, accessing new markets and/or taking more market share.

Health & Safety Award – will be awarded to a Huron County manufacturer who has achieved excellent results in Health and Safety reducing occupational hazards and disease and/or developing innovative Health and Safety policy.

Tech Teacher Award—Selected from among Huron County Tech Teachers.

August 2012

This event is brought to you by: Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsors

Nomination Deadline: September 14, 2012

Bronze Sponsors Nomination is easy.

E-mail the name of the person or company you wish to nominate to the HMA. Don’t forget to indicate the award category. info@huronmanufacturing.ca

Join us November 15, 2012 at the Central Huron Community Complex for this year’s Manufacturing Excellence Awards