Two Windsor manufacturers are the latest recipients in a recent slew of funding announcements by the Federal government. Newmak of Canada Corp. in partnership with Arbec Tool and Machine Ltd., both based in Windsor, ON, have received funding of up to $3 million to support development of stronger engine blocks made of lightweight aluminum.
These lightweight engine blocks will be produced by a fully automated robotic system, which itself is an innovation. This automated production system will allow Nemak to develop flexible manufacturing processes that will make the company more globally competitive.
The funding is being allocated through the Automotive Supplier Innovation Program, which supports research and development activities by small and medium-sized companies that provide components, parts and production systems for the automotive supply chain.
The Government of Canada’s Innovation Agenda aims to make this country a global centre for innovation—one that drives economic growth and leads to better skills, jobs and opportunities for all Canadians. Key programs that support research and development activities in the auto sector include the Automotive Innovation Fund and the Automotive Suppliers Innovation Program.
“If Canada is to succeed in making the cars of the future, we must embrace greener, more sustainable technologies,” states Navdeep Bains, Federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. “These technologies will create the well-paying middle-class jobs of the future. Advanced research and development projects challenge today’s autoworkers to enhance their skill set. By having a workforce with skills that are in demand and the technologies that will shape the future of the industry, Canada’s auto sector can secure its place in the global supply chain of tomorrow.”
These lightweight engine blocks will be produced by a fully automated robotic system, which itself is an innovation. This automated production system will allow Nemak to develop flexible manufacturing processes that will make the company more globally competitive.
The funding is being allocated through the Automotive Supplier Innovation Program, which supports research and development activities by small and medium-sized companies that provide components, parts and production systems for the automotive supply chain.
The Government of Canada’s Innovation Agenda aims to make this country a global centre for innovation—one that drives economic growth and leads to better skills, jobs and opportunities for all Canadians. Key programs that support research and development activities in the auto sector include the Automotive Innovation Fund and the Automotive Suppliers Innovation Program.
“If Canada is to succeed in making the cars of the future, we must embrace greener, more sustainable technologies, says Navdeep Bains, Federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. “These technologies will create the well-paying middle-class jobs of the future. Advanced research and development projects challenge today’s autoworkers to enhance their skill set. By having a workforce with skills that are in demand and the technologies that will shape the future of the industry, Canada’s auto sector can secure its place in the global supply chain of tomorrow.”
Nemak supplies lightweight solutions for the global automotive industry. The company specializes in the development and manufacturing of aluminum components for powertrain and body structure applications.
Canada’s auto sector is the country’s second largest manufacturing industry, producing more than two million vehicles a year. That translates to roughly one car being manufactured every 14 seconds.The auto sector employs more than 125,000 Canadians directly and another 398,700 indirectly. The sector creates more spinoff jobs than any other. For every job created on an automotive assembly line, six jobs are created in various other sectors of Canada’s economy.