Twenty Ontario automotive parts manufacturing will be receiving $1.4 million in funding from the Automotive Supplier Competitiveness Improvement Program (ASCIP).
ASCIP is a partnership between the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association (APMA), Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) and the Province of Ontario’s Ministry of Economic Development and Growth (MEDG). The program seeks to increase the sourcing capabilities of Ontario-based small- and medium-sized automotive suppliers, while encouraging innovation and productivity initiatives that increase success in growing export markets. Projects are eligible for up to $100,000 in project funding, which must be matched by industry and contribute to the adoption of industry-leading IT. Projects can be up to two years in duration.
“The automotive industry is rapidly evolving and in Ontario that evolution includes adopting industry-leading technology to remain competitive globally,” says Dr. Tom Corr, OCE’s president and CEO. “ASCIP will increase sourcing capabilities and productivity and drive success for Ontario’s auto suppliers to ensure they are able to continue to meet and exceed the high level of innovation and competiveness their clients have come to expect.”
Stream One focuses on technology adoption and will provide grants to auto parts supplier firms that conduct projects to advance product life cycle management and improve competitiveness through adoption of advanced hardware, software and/or training. The 20 successful projects will be receiving over $1.4 million in ASCIP funding to reimburse up to 50 per cent of eligible program costs. This funding has been matched or exceeded by industry partners with cash and in-kind contributions to bring the total value of Stream 1 projects to more than $4 million.
“Ontario’s comprehensive and technology-intensive supply chain is a major asset as the province advocates for new automotive investment and vehicle production work,” says Brad Duguid, Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development and Growth. “Through this program, we are ensuring that more auto parts companies have access to leading-edge information technology that will boost innovation and increase productivity.”
ASCIP Stream One objectives aim to increase suppliers’ capabilities to deliver shorter design cycle times, be more productive, more responsive to market changes and able to take advantage of new business opportunities with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs); support the adoption of specific software and IT solutions that allow companies to manage the entire lifecycle of a product efficiently and cost-effectively; and target small and medium suppliers to increase their sourcing capabilities and take up innovation and productivity initiatives to expand success in growing export markets
Companies with projects in Stream One of ASCIP include:
- Injection Technologies Inc.
- Windsor Metal Technologies Inc.
- Lanex Manufacturing Inc.
- NeoVision Technology Inc.
- Laval International
- Racer Machinery International Inc.
- Dynaplas Ltd.
- MRT Automation Ltd
- Circle 5 Tool and Mold
- Acetronic Industrial Controls Inc.
- Eclipse Automation Inc.
- Toolplas Systems Inc.
- Cavalier Tool & Manufacturing Ltd
- Platinum Tool Technologies
- Onbelay Automotive
- CGT
- Armo-Tool Ltd
- Aarkel Tool and Die Inc.
- Stratus Plastics Inc.
- NH Global Design Inc.
