On November 23, 2011 Owen Sound mayor Deb Haswell addressed the SR managers group to discuss the city's current strategies and to get to know local industry on a personal level as she continues her first year as mayor. This forum led to some good, candid discussion aboutmanufacturing needs in the area and what local municipal governments need to do to retain the industry they have. This constructive forum will continue to take place every year with EMC members and also on an as-needed basis.

In retrospect, 2011 was a dynamic year of learning for local EMC members with two SIGs taking place every time they met (Human Resources and Continuous Improvement).  One significant initiative is the involvement of the Four County Workforce Development Board with SIG events. Executive Director Gemma Mendez-Smith will continue to get to know local industry contacts in an effort to better understand workforce needs for the future. Information drawn from the HR group will be included in their reports and recommendations to school boards and colleges to help communicate the needs of industry.

HR SIG topics ranged from the "Turn- around Interview"  to "Neer for Dummies" and "Roles of Health Care Professionals with Return to Work Programs" to Hicks Morley updates with emphasis on the new AODA legislation. These events featured guest speakers including Geordie Raine from Montana HR, Laura Rourke from EMC's WSIB Safety Group, Glen Brannen from EMC's 360 Health & Safety program, and Carolyn Cornford Greaves with Hicks Morley. Lots of learning for the HR folks!

Continuous improvement prevails as a very valuable format for members where they can learn from the challenges of the host, and the host reaps ideas and input from outside eyes. This continues to be a very powerful forum for members to derive value from the network. Challenges posed this year to members included:  Employee engagement of CI initiatives, Assembly line strategies to reduce re-work and waste, Organized chaos in Tooling and Maintenance depts.,  ERP selection and implementation strategies, Quality inspection tracking strategies, and Product damage and contamination in production process. Lots of learning for the CI folks as well!

2012 promises to be just as rich for EMC members as they learn from each other, and we look forward facilitating that world class activity for years to come!

Yours in networking,

Mike Baker, Sr Field Service Advisor