Partnership designed to help auto parts sector innovate

When business is good, innovation can be an engine that helps drive an industry to even greater success. However, when business is bad, innovation can be critical to survival. That fact has never been lost on the Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association (APMA) and was a major impetus behind the association's recent partnership with Precarn Inc., Ottawa ON.

In an effort to expand research and development in the auto parts industry, and promote a culture of innovation and collaboration, Precarn and the APMA recently announced a partnership to support the research and development efforts of automotive parts manufacturers in Canada.

"With Precarn's expertise in the management of leading-edge technology projects and APMA's extensive knowledge of the auto parts industry, this partnership will make important contributions towards the development of a culture of innovation and collaboration within the Canadian auto parts industry, as well as increase the number of technology-based, supply-chain collaborations in Canada," said Paul Johnston, president and chief executive officer of Precarn, in announcing the partnership.

''Precarn's collaborative research and development model has proven that strong linkages among private, public and academic organizations are critical to successfully stimulate the growth and competitiveness of an industry segment,'' he added

Under the joint program, a minimum of $3 million will be earmarked to fund automotive parts companies that are committed to research and development and innovation.

The program will be administered and funded by Precarn, a not-for-profit company representing a national network of corporations, universities, colleges, research institutes and government partners engaged in the development of intelligent systems enabled solutions.

The recent devastation sweeping through Canada′s auto parts sector has been well documented. Unrelenting price pressures from domestic auto makers coupled with declining sales for North American-based car makers have translated into thousands of lost jobs in the Canadian auto parts sector. APMA President Gerald Fedchun has gone on record saying that the auto parts sector will likely lose another 5,000 jobs this year alone. In view of the increasing economic challenges within the automotive industry, innovation is more important than ever, said Fedchun in announcing the partnership with Precarn.

''We are very pleased to be collaborating with Precarn on this initiative in order to bring highly-needed research and development funding to our members,'' he said. ''The funds will help to encourage innovation in the automotive parts industry in Canada and ensure it continues to be globally competitive.''

In fact, at the APMA's recent 2007 annual conference and exhibition, the association and Precarn jointly announced that two separate requests for proposals (RFPs) have been issued under the program.

The Collaborative Auto R&D Projects RFP will award up to $2 million for projects that deliver operational prototypes of significant innovations in the auto parts industry. Depending on each project size, it will fund six to eight projects. The second RFP is the Auto R&D Feasibility RPP which will provide up to $1 million for feasibility studies for next-generation innovation in the auto parts industry and is expected to fund 10-15 studies. For both RFPs, proposals will be accepted by project teams led by companies - either auto parts manufacturers, or suppliers of technology-based products and services to auto parts manufacturers.

''With these two RFPs, we are aiming to accomplish two interlinked goals, which will help bring the auto parts industry to the next level of innovation,'' said Fedchun. ''The Collaborative Auto R&D Projects RFP serves to immediately boost R&D investment and begin developing an enhanced culture of innovation and collaboration in the auto parts industry, and the Auto R&D Feasibility RFP helps develop ideas for more far-reaching innovation, and further supports collaboration among industry stakeholders.''

With a focus on the introduction and advancement of innovative made-in-Canada solutions, the initiative aims to fund projects that address the challenges of the Canadian automotive parts industry and are commercially viable.

Jerry Cook
Editor, MPP
jcook@clbmedia.ca

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Mazak opens new Canadian headquarters/Technology Centre

Mazak's new Canada headquarters and Technology Centre covers 2,044 square meters on a 1.53-hectare site and is home to Mazak Canada's 30 person sales and service support operation.

Mazak Corp., Florence, KY officially opened its new $4 million Canada headquarters and Technology Centre in Cambridge, ON.

''This Technology Centre is proof of Mazak's commitment to helping our Canadian customers improve productivity and profitability with machine tool technology solutions specifically developed for their particular needs,'' Brian Papke, president of Mazak Corp. said at the opening ceremony for the new facility.

In addition to Papke, the opening ceremony featured a number of other dignitaries including Yamazaki Mazak Corporation President Tomohisa Yamazaki and Cambridge Mayor Doug Craig.

Mazak's new Canada Technology Centre is designed to help Canadian manufacturers to improve their productivity and competitiveness, says Tomohisa Yamazaki, president of Mazak Corp.

''To improve their global competitiveness, North American customers need to add more value to their products. By installing our most advanced manufacturing products and a wide variety of the latest machine tool products at our new Canada Technology Centre, we are going to work closely with customers to create better manufacturing solutions,'' says Yamazaki.

Mazak's new Canada headquarters and Technology Centre covers 2,044 square meters on a 1.53-hectare site and is home to Mazak Canada's 30 person sales and service support operation. The facility also serves as a vital connection to Mazak's distributors throughout Canada: A.W. Miller Technical Sales Inc., Mississauga, ON; A.W. Miller Equipement Technique, St. Laurent, QC; and Machine Toolworks in Edmonton, AB.

Mazak's Canada Technology Centre is the eighth in North America and the 29th worldwide. Each Mazak Technology Centre is a commitment to stay close to the unique requirements and character of world's most important local manufacturing markets, helping customers implement the latest machine-tool technologies and equipment for improved productivity. With knowledgeable personnel close and accessible to Canadian manufacturers, Mazak can provide unique manufacturing solutions, including turnkey systems and process development expertise.

The Canada Technology Centre will also host technical seminars on the latest manufacturing advances and demonstrate such solutions as multi-tasking technology, five-axis machining, and high-speed machining centres.

The facility features a large Technology Hall which houses 11 Mazak machines for hands-on applications. The Mazak machines showcased at the firm's Technology Centre include the NEXUS VCN 510C-II 5X vertical machining centre; the NEXUS HCN 6000-II horizontal machining centre; Integrex 200-IV ST multi-tasking machine; the Integrex e-1060V/8 II; the Integrex 300-IV multi-tasking machine; the IVS 200 inverted vertical spindle turning centre; the NEXUS QTN 250-II MSY CNC turning centre with an LNS Quick Load Servo 80 bar feeder; the NEXUS QTN 350-II MY CNC turning centre; the Super Quadrex 200 four-axis turning centre; the SVC 2000L/1200 vertical machining centre; and the Variaxis 630-5X II vertical machining centre.

The new Technology Centre also includes presentation and seminar rooms which will be used support training and continuing education programs.

Some of Mazak's Canada Technology Centre's engineering and service functions include: turnkey system integration and applications engineering tailored to individual company production needs; access to related expertise such as CAD/CAM, automation, and tooling strategies; factory-trained service personnel; access to Mazak's North American parts center in Florence, KY and its $52 million in ready-to-ship inventory; and more.

At the same time, Mazak Corporation Canada also launched its new website — www.mazakcanada.ca The website is dedicated to the Canadian manufacturing audience who seek information on Mazak products, technical service and parts support. User-friendly navigation takes visitors to Mazak company information, products, technology centre, service, parts support, and news. Mazak will provide a language selection for French-speaking Canadians in the near future.

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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

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