Skip to main content

Barrie/Midland Senior Managers - 15 Apr 10

By May 25, 2010
Stephanie Yakimishyn

David Aldersey of MEDT and Laura Wilson of BDC joined the Barrie/Midland and Area Senior Managers Strtegic Interest Group at Theta Industries on April 15th. Each provided an update of what was on offer. The group also enjoyed a plant tour and some roundtable networking.

David Aldersey of MEDT and Laura Wilson of BDC joined the Barrie/Midland and Area Senior Managers Strtegic Interest Group at Theta Industries on April 15th.  Each provided an update of what was on offer.  The group also enjoyed a plant tour and some roundtable networking.

Discussion centred on:

David Aldersey - MEDT

  • Involved in investment into Ontario
  • Fund university research
  • Energy seminars
  • Fund programs for businesses
  • Assisting manufacturers anyway they can
  • Exporting expertise
  • Canadian embassies around the world have folks to assist re: how to do business in each country
  • Southern Ontario Development Fund
  • Programs
    • AMIS & CME - funding has lapsed
    • Export Access - for foreign trade shows up to $30,000, bidding costs, marketing costs
    • Yves Landry for training initiatives - are accepting applications but are waiting for more money
    • NRC - Federal - help with overcoming technological hurdles
    • Wisdom Exchange - May 4TH and 5th - for CEO's & Presidents
    • Energy Workshops
      • Updating machines/presses to be more energy efficient
      • Compressed air audits on weekends or when nothing is turned on for air leaks
      • Lean Manufacturing Workshops
      • In summary, waiting for $ to be freed up
  • Labour
    • Work Share
    • Small incentives here and there - Apprenticeships, etc.

Laura Wilson - BDC

  • Focus is helping Canadian businesses
  • Another supplier of financing - additional to other lenders - not ratio driven-more common sense approach
  • Help with specific projects
  • Market Expansion loans - similar to an operating line
  • Finance good will
  • Non-demand lender - can't call your loan on you
  • Flexible in terms of payment
  • MERX government procurement website

Overview of Theta

  • Metal stamper - mainly automotive
  • Need to drive out costs to compete
  • Tier Two - Tier Three
  • Some niche products that the Tier One could not pull in - has helped get through the downturn

 Roundtable

  • In general, business is improving
  • Work Share discussion - staying on or cutting off - is business going to get and/or stay busy? - really great program
  • Steel procurement issues
  • Stop shipping procedures for delinquent accounts
 

About the author

Stephanie Yakimishyn

Field Service Advisor, Online Courses AdministratorExcellence in Manufacturing Consortium

Over the course of her career, Stephanie has worked in the banking, manufacturing, service and public sectors. As a consultant, she established successful consulting relationships (at the Senior…

0 Comments

Would you like to comment?

You must be a member. Sign In if you are already a member.


Viewed 281 times