New research indicates how Canadian design stacks up against American competition

TORONTO – For the first time, Canadian companies are able to compare their product design and development (PD&D) performance to local and international competitors.

According the CNW Group news service (newswire.ca), the Design Exchange, Industry Canada and Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters have released new research that benchmarks Canada's PD&D activities across sectors against American competitors, and compares the use of design between Best in Class (BIC) enterprises and laggards. Key performance indicators, such as percentage of revenue from new and improved products, and time to market also show how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) compare to larger firms.

Sectors include computer and electronics, aerospace, automotive, clothing, textiles, retail and furniture. While findings indicate a steady increase in outsourced PD&D activity for all manufacturers, PD&D investment overall as percentage of sales is lower for Canadian manufacturers than their American competitors. Canadian manufacturers experience an average of 15% of total revenues from new products, with manufacturers in the United States averaging 25%.

Research also shows that 60% of BIC companies dedicate at least 10% of their personnel in research and development. BIC companies excel at developing customized design products, searching for and developing new export markets, using distribution agreements, international marketing partnerships, after-sales consumer feedback, and make better use of intellectual property tools. One area where BIC companies and laggards are similar is in their use of marketing personnel.

Approximately half of all manufacturers dedicate at least 10% of their personnel to marketing. It appears that size of a manufacturing firm does not necessarily increase ability to innovate. Both large firms and SMEs in Canada experience an average of 15% of total revenue from new products.

Samantha Sannella, president and CEO of Design Exchange is pleased with initial findings: "We now have facts and figures that show that design pays. Whether you go with in-house or outsourced services, Canadian firms that use design outperform those that don't".

For the full report findings, visit www.ic.gc.ca/pdd

Mike Edwards, Editor, DPN Magazine medwards@clbmedia.ca
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USEFUL SITES

3D digital products. 3D laser scanner and related 3D software provider Creaform has updated its website in both English and French, with six more languages on the way (creaform3d.com).

Sustainable development. The Sustainable Development Technology Canada (sdtc.ca) SD Tech Fund is open for Statements of Interest (SOI) for its thirteenth round of funding. The closing date for submissions is April 23, 2008.

Belt drives. Gates has launched new PowerGrip belt drive solution pages on gates.com that include white papers, interactive tutorials and case studies.

Slides. The Accuride International relaunched website includes an interactive Slide Selection Guide that simplifies the product selection process (accuride.com) and CAD file downloads.
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The March/April DPN cover story has LC Bakery Equipment Services of Brantford, ON, demonstrating an automated oven for commercial bakeries. Installed at Italian Home Bakeries in Toronto, the oven designed by Robert Casasanta, LC Bakery's VP of Engineering, makes use of traditional stone integrated on a conveyor belt that automatically takes raw loaves through a unique 100-ft, multiple-zone convection oven.
Please click on the video (right) for a demonstration of this sophisticated, multitasking equipment designed to handle many styles of bread.

And coming in the May issue of DPN:

Bill Vance turns gaze on the Tesla all-electric ($$) sports car

Ajay Bajaj asks (tongue-in-cheek) "What climate change?"

Bill Fane examines 2009 versions of AutoCAD, Inventor

Product Spotlights on Sensors, Connectors, Enclosures,  Engineered Materials

        DPNCANADA.COM EXCLUSIVES

Mobile hydraulics sensors. MTS Systems Corp., Sensors Division has announced the redesigned Temposonics MT sensor is a magnetostrictive position sensor specifically designed to be embedded in welded and tie-rod style cylinders.

Vacuum check valves. Anver Corp. CheckVac valves are made from an aluminum body and feature a plastic valve element with a  stainless steel spring and an O-ring seal.

Three-phase synchronous motors. B&R has announced 8KS series liquid-cooled 3-phase synchronous motors said to feature high power density with compact outer dimensions.

OLED lighting. OSRAM says it has achieved record values of efficiency and lifetime while maintaining the brightness of warm white organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs).
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                    UPCOMING EVENTS

April 29 + May 1, 2008. Toronto + Montreal. Automation Fair & Expo presented by Electromate Industrial Sales (electromate.com).

April 30-May 1, 2008. Abbotsford, BC. The BC Industrial Expo returns to the TRADEX Trade & Exhibition Centre (bcindustrialexpo.ca).

April 30-May 1, 2008. Hamilton, ON. APMA Annual Conference & Exhibition of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association (apma.ca).

May 5, 6 + 8, 2008. Kitchener, Mississauga + Woodbridge, ON. Spring 2008 Machine Guarding Seminars & Tradeshows presented by Vickers-Warnick (vickers-warnick.com).

May 14 + June 5, 2008. Toronto + Vancouver. The Autodesk Experience Tour with sessions including ''What's New With AutoCAD 2009 Tips & Tricks''. (experience.autodesk.com).

Also coming in the May DPN:
Canadian Fluid Power Association
Annual Winter Meeting report
 

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