Ottawa must address issues impacting auto parts sector

The federal government needs to do a better job in addressing the concerns and issues facing Canada’s struggling automotive parts sector because there are several critical areas on which Ottawa has made little or no progress, says a recent policy paper from the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association (APMA).

“The automotive component supply industry in Canada is undergoing a difficult period of adjustment. As the industry restructures, so too will employment levels, directly impacting taxation revenues and the standard of living those employees have achieved to date. The industry needs federal and provincial governments to pursue strategies and focus their collective efforts on initiatives to help companies compete globally and sustain Canada as a leading competitive country on the global stage,” APMA President Gerald Fedchun said in releasing the report.

The policy paper entitled, “A Global Industry in Transition”, identifies a number of areas in which the association recommends that governments should focus their attention in order to assist industry to remain competitive in the global environment.

The paper assesses the response by governments on a number of issues ranging from monetary policy, tax credits, harmonization of regulations for trade within North America, support for innovation and technology, attracting new investment and retaining existing investment, and more.

The report assesses and rates the governments’ responses on the various issues based on the initiatives that have been undertaken so far on the specific issues. According to the report, the governments’ responses on most issues ranges from poor to fair.

For example, the report notes that while previously Canadian companies enjoyed a competitive advantage due to the lower value of the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar, the escalation of the Canadian dollar has eroded the competitive price advantage and productivity improvements are needed. “Canadian tax policies and lack of productivity-enhancing incentives in Canada act as a deterrent to Canadian manufacturers,” the paper states.

As a result, the APMA recommends a monetary policy that stabilizes the Canadian dollar at no more than 86 cents (U.S.); a taxation environment and incentives to help improve competitiveness through productivity improvements; capital equipment and accelerated depreciation taxation enhancements; and assistance and support for companies to adopt lean manufacturing techniques.

Another area that governments need to focus on is in innovation and technology advancements, the association says. “Innovation and technology advancements are key drivers to competitive issues facing Canadian manufacturers,” the report states. “Canada has historically had a number of strengths in this area, but has also had a number of weaknesses.” As a result, the report calls on the federal and provincial governments to support and enhance research and development; significantly increase funding to made-in-Canada innovation initiatives; create a strategic automotive policy for Canada; and create an accompanying manufacturing strategy to help address Canadian manufacturing issues and improve capabilities.

Other recommendations include amending immigration policies to give more credit for technical skills which will help to attract foreign trained skilled workers and implementing non-taxable apprenticeship training tax credits to support employers.

Jerry Cook
Editor, MPP
jcook@clbmedia.ca 

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METALFORM’07 highlights new technologies

METALFORM’07 will serve as a showcase for the latest advances in metalforming and related technologies.

This year’s METALFORM’07 show promises to be a showcase of the latest metalforming, fabricating and related technologies.

The show, which is sponsored by the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA), Cleveland, OH, will be held March 25-28 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. Close to 400 companies are expected to display their products in 100,000 net square feet of floor space at METALFORM’07.

METALFORM’07 is very tightly focused on the metalforming and fabricating industries. A wide range of metalforming technologies will be on display including fabricating, stamping, assembly and tool and die. In addition, the show will highlight value-added technologies such as material handling and packaging.

Some of the equipment on display includes stamping and turret presses; welding and assembly equipment; press brakes; lasers; roll forming and spinning machines; coil handling equipment and feeds; automation; finishing; tool and die; machining; and more.

According to the PMA, the expanded capacities showcased at METALFORM’07 will give attendees the opportunity to evaluate solutions for every phase of their process-from the press to the dock door.

METALFORM’07 also features a comprehensive educational conference comprising 25 different tracks and 60 presentations.

The conference, which runs concurrently with the show, includes presentations ranging from fundamentals for beginners to more advanced concepts for experienced metalformers. The conference will cover a wide array of topics including sensors and controls systems; tooling; safety; press technology; welding; in-die value added; sensor fundamentals; and assembly. Other topics covered include working with high strength steel; servo press technology; lean manufacturing; alternative manufacturing processes; fabricating; transfer stamping; high speed stamping; roll forming; progressive tooling; and more.

Last year’s METALFORM’06 show, which was held in Nashville, TN, featured 328 exhibitors including approximately 80 companies who exhibited at the show for the first time. The regional show in Nashville attracted some 2,600 visitors.

METALFORM’07 will be held March 25-28 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in
Rosemont, IL.

Show times are: Sunday, March 25, noon to 5 p.m.; Monday, March 26, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday, March 27, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Wednesday, March 28, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

METALFORM is sponsored by the Precision Metalforming Association which represents the $41 billion metalforming industry in North America.

The PMA’s nearly 1,200 member companies include metal stampers, fabricators, spinners, slide formers and roll formers as well as suppliers of ancillary equipment, materials and other services.

For further information or to register for the show contact the PMA at: (216) 901-8800 or visit www.metalform.com

Coming in the January/February issue of MP&P

Special Features

• Welding Equipment/Supplies
• Fabricating/Forming
• Laser/Robotics/Automation

Product Spotlight

• Turning Centers/CNC Machine Tools

Regular Departments

• Software Solutions
• Cutting Tools

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Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association of Canada - This site is an information resource for Canadian OEM producers of parts, equipment, tools, supplies and services to the automotive industry. www.apma.ca

Canadian Machine Tool Distributors Association - A resource for Canadian machine tool distributors. www.cmtda.com

Canadian Welding Association - Information resource for the Canadian welding industry.
www.cwa-acs.org

Lincoln Electric Company - Register online for access to the latest news from the Lincoln Electric Company and receive your copy of iWeld eNewsletter. www.lincolnelectric.com

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