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News:

Manufacturing sales up, ending seven-month decline
OTTAWA, Ont. — Manufacturing sales increased 2.2 percent to $42.9 billion in February, the first increase since July 2008. more...

CME reports ''glimmer of hope'' in recent Business Conditions Survey
OTTAWA, Ont. — It's not a signal that the recession is over, but more Canadian manufacturers and exporters are optimistic about business conditions over the next three months than they have been since the beginning of 2009, according to the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters' March Business Conditions Survey. more...

Unemployment reaches seven-year high
OTTAWA, Ont. — Employment declined by 61,000 in March, pushing the unemployment rate up 0.3 percentage points to eight percent, the highest rate in seven years, according to Statistics Canada's March 2009 Labour Force Survey. more...

KPMG report outlines growth strategies and new market opportunities
TORONTO, Ont. — The current economic environment provides opportunities for companies to thrive. According to a recently released KPMG report, Strategic Growth and New Markets, the top strategies for growth, based on a survey of manufacturers, include process improvements, investment in R&D and technology, and global expansion.more...

Survey aimed at revealing training needs in down economy
AURORA, Ont. — In tough economic times, training is more important than ever. Manufacturing AUTOMATION understands this and wants to know how your company is meeting its training needs in today's market. To take our brief, nine-question survey, please click here.

New Products: Wireless technologies

  • Cover story: Machine safety in an economic downturn
    In tough economic times, companies need to reduce costs. We take a look at how Etobicoke, Ont.-based S&C Electric was able to reduce costs and increase safety with the help of Leuze electronics and Ancaster, Ont.-based Tekpress Solutions Ltd.

  • Feature: Wireless technology and security
    Wireless systems concern many manufacturers because the components are not physically joined, providing a potential entry point into computer networks. This article, authored by MTL's Ian Verhappen and Frank Williams from Elpro Technologies, describes a number of initiatives that are underway to help protect this gap and control networks as a whole.

  • The Advanced Manufacturing section
    ERP: A look at how companies can leverage ERP to make the leap from Lean manufacturing to agile manufacturing.
    Lean manufacturing: Dr. Timothy Hill introduces his next series of Lean manufacturing columns by discussing the challenges associated with building and sustaining Lean.
    PLM: We take a look at how MEGA Brands achieved a global competitive advantage on quality and margin after implementing a PLM solution from Aras Corp.

  • Column: Machine safety
    Vickers-Warnick's John Murphy takes a look at the global harmonization of machine guarding standards.

Plus: News, appointment announcements and trends, as well as a selection of the latest software offerings, communications and networking products, data acquisition offerings, motion and process control products, as well as wire and cable offerings.

Calendar of Events:

Principles of Lean Manufacturing seminar - May 12, 2009, Burlington, Ont.

15th Canadian Skills Competition - May 20-23, 2009, Charlottetown, P.E.I.

2009 APMA-AUTO21 Annual Conference & Exhibition - May 26-28, 2009, Hamilton Convention Centre, Hamilton, Ont.

Measure up for Success - June 1-4, Calgary, Alta.

Sensors Expo & Conference - June 8-10, 2009, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, Ill.

2009 International Robots, Vision and Motion Control Show - June 9-11, 2009, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, Ill.

WorldSkills Calgary 2009 - September 1-7, 2009, Calgary, Alta.

Check out the Calendar of Events on the Manufacturing AUTOMATION website for more upcoming industry seminars, conferences, shows and training sessions.

Got an event you want us to include on the website? Please send an e-mail to editor Mary Del Ciancio: mdelciancio@clbmedia.ca.





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