This should be nothing short of a most excellent day for those interested in networking, in learning from our Guest Presenter on a topic of mounting interest, in participating in problem solving activities with others, in benchmarking best practices, in sharing resources, ideas and experiences!

The EMC Kitchener-Waterloo Consortium is a very large, active, dynamic networking group who are eager to share their expertise and experience with their peers.  In true EMC fashion, this particular Consortium, hosted by Sr. Field Service Advisor, Mike Baker and Field Service Advisor, Laura Gibson, holds four key function sessions that allow Manufacturers to come together to explore issues, tour facilities and leverage knowledge from each other.

JD Sweid Foods is one of the largest further processors of Beef, Pork and Poultry products.  They have three production facilities one each in Langley and Burnaby, BC and our Host facility, the former Elmira Poultry, which was acquired in 2006, in Waterloo, ON.  The company employs almost 600 people throughout their organization.  Products range from center of the plate poultry to battered and breaded products, fully cooked chicken offerings, beef burgers, sauces and fully cooked ribs.  JD Sweid also produces private label products for the retail and restaurant industries.  For more information on this great company, please check out their website at www.jdsweid.com. 

As mentioned above, this will be a perfect day to tap into some real learning opportunities!  We begin the day with an Event for Senior Manager's, followed by a Continuous Improvement session, Health and Safety discussion and ending our day with an opportunity for those interested in Human Resources to network - all on timely, interesting and informative topics as per below:

7:30 am - Senior Managers - What is Your Green Footprint, Laura Rourke, Environmental, Health and Safety Manager, EMC Canada
The key focus of our Food Sector Networking Event will be on "Sustainability:  What is Your Green Footprint?"  Laura Rourke, EMC Canada's Environmental, Health and Safety Manager will be our Guest Speaker at the Senior Manager's session on this issue.  We have enjoyed having Laura address this topic with Manufacturers in Eastern Ontario, Woodstock and at our Conference in Hamilton earlier this month.  This is a growing topic of interest that is continually evolving and has considerable impact for those involved in any aspect of industry today.  Like many other initiatives our companies undertake on their path to improvement whether for food safety, continuous improvement, or culture related initiatives, etc., striving for sustainable manufacturing is also an ongoing journey...

* What is sustainability?
* Why is this important to manufacturers?
* What is your "Green Footprint"?
* Where can you begin?
* If you have started, where have you succeeded on your journey?  What have been some of the hindrances encountered?
* What are your Waste Management, Recycling issues and opportunities?
* What is the key to success?

Without a doubt, we have enjoyed some interesting discussion surrounding this issue and look forward to learning about your initiatives or thoughts in this area.  What opportunities to your product, service, people, customers, suppliers or the community at large might there be?  A link to this Event follows below, please register as soon as possible as space is limited:   http://www.emccanada.org/documents/emcfoodsec/emcsustainabilitywhatisyourgreenfootprintkweventsp

9:30 am - Continuous Improvement - Tour and Host Shop Floor Problem Solving
The second event that JD Sweid Foods is hosting deals with a joint problem solving activity.  As a group, those interested in Continuous Improvement will tour a specific area within the plant and consider opportunities for improvement in a brainstorming format.  The theme for this particular session deals with increasing throughput.  Participants will be looking at the value stream on a processing line/work cell taking into consideration constraints such as line speed, product temperature, and production through lunch or break times.

As increasing throughput on any processing line/workcell may also be/or has been a challenge for you in your facility, those interested in participating are asked to come prepared to examine your own strategies and logic for this challenge.  What is working or what is not working well for you?

12:00 pm - Health and Safety - Bill 168 - Violence in the Workplace
Our Health and Safety Event will focus on Bill 168 - Violence in the Workplace.  Most companies have created their policy and procedure regarding Bill 168 so this session will give you the chance to network and share any concerns you may have regarding this legislation which comes into force on June 15^th, 2010.

2:00 pm - Human Resources - Creating a Flexible Workforce
All manufacturing facilities are under increased pressure by their customers to be more responsive and flexible to be competitive.  This is forcing companies to create a flexible workforce culture - one that is adaptable, responsive and involved.  Considering the questions below, please join your peers in a roundtable discussion on the opportunities bred through flexible workforces.

* What challenges have you had in your workplace that could benefit from having a flexible workforce in place?
* What flexible workplace options have you put into place to meet customer demands?  What worked and what failed?
* Are there flexible workplace options that you have considered but not put into place?  Why?
* Have you explored the options of offering semi-retirement, job sharing and/or elect-to-work options for your employees?

Get involved, take part, learn from others and share your experiences!

Again, just a final reminder, as mentioned above, if you are interested in attending any of the above events, please RSVP to me at your earliest convenience (bmckeachnie@emccanada.org) stating the session that you would like to participate in - we would be very pleased to have you join us!

Together with our Host, JD Sweid Foods Ltd., our Facilitators, Mike and Laura, and our Guest Speaker, Laura Rourke, I look forward to welcoming you on Wednesday, June 9^th, 2010!

Best wishes as always for a great week!

Take care,
Bren