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Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium receives funding to support lean initiative |
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The provincial government is helping Ontario manufacturers become more efficient and increase their competitiveness in the global economy. In an announcement made at Jeld-Wen Windows and Doors’ manufacturing facility in Vaughan, Ont., the Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium said they will use $500,000 in government funding to hold more than 90 "lean training" sessions for companies across Ontario.
“In the words of an EMC member: ‘Lean is the single best way for manufacturers to remain competitive,’ said Al Diggins, EMC’s President and General Manager. “EMC's Lean Training is one of the most comprehensive programs available in North America and has enabled our members achieve significant productivity improvements. With the province's help, we will provide more than 1,600 new participants with the opportunity to access Lean training which they can take back to their companies and put into immediate action for tangible results.”
Also on hand for the announcement was Monte Kwinter, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Economic Development and Trade. “The McGuinty government understands how important Ontario's manufacturing sector is to the provincial economy. Through our five-point economic plan, our government is doing everything it can to help our world class companies succeed,” he said.
The training will show manufacturers how to achieve:
Less waste - saving money and sending less material to landfill;
Better workflow - reducing the number of steps required to do a task, reducing worker fatigue and boosting productivity; and
Smoother equipment changeovers - getting production lines back in action sooner and improving worker safety.
In high-volume factories making thousands of units, even the smallest improvements deliver big results.
For example, one company working with EMC improved its set-up for loading skids at the end of a production line. The company was able to save a four-person crew the equivalent of walking more than 7,000 miles per year - that's more than a quarter of the way around the world.
"This is another example of how we can partner strategically with Ontario manufacturers to lift our companies to the next level of competitiveness and innovation. It's about adding value to compete in the global economy," said Sandra Pupatello, Minister of Economic Development and Trade.
EMC is Canada's largest manufacturing consortium. The not-for-profit association works with its members to achieve greater global competitiveness through sharing industry-leading knowledge and expertise.
For more information, visit www.emccanada.org.
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