Canadian Manufacturing Technology Show Gets Underway September 30-October 3 at The International Centre
Toronto, Ontario – As the days draw closer to the highly-anticipated Canadian Manufacturing Technology Show (CMTS), Canada’s largest manufacturing event which takes place September 30-October 3, 2013 at The International Centre in Mississauga, more than 2.8 million pounds of equipment is making its way to the show floor from across North America and overseas.
“This is the largest and most comprehensive event we’ve ever organized, which is a testament to the growth of the Canadian manufacturing industry and increased industry confidence among manufacturers,” said Julie Pike, Event Manager for SME, organizers of CMTS. “There will be more live, functioning manufacturing equipment on the show floor than ever before, all of which is currently en route to Toronto by truck, rail and sea from as far away as Japan, Germany, Turkey and Korea.”
More than 600 dynamic exhibits – including more than 150 new products and several major attractions – are expected at CMTS, which also features expert speakers, interactive panel discussions, and cutting-edge conference sessions. The increased activity goes hand in hand with a recent SME survey indicating two-thirds (66.6 per cent) of manufacturers are optimistic about business growth over the next 12 to 18 months.
“More than 10,000 manufacturing professionals from Canada and around the world – ranging from engineers to c-level executives – are relying on this show to assess potential suppliers, new technologies and innovative solutions to their everyday challenges,” added Pike, noting that additional forklifts will be on standby to accommodate the heavy equipment when it arrives.
Highlights of the expanded four-day event include:
- Manufacturing Matters - Opening Keynote by former Ontario MP Sandra Pupatello (Monday, September 30, 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.): A charismatic speaker and tireless supporter of the manufacturing sector, Ms. Pupatello will draw on her government and private industry experience to reinforce the essential role that manufacturing plays in establishing the economic health and well-being of a country. In addition to sharing her unique insights into many ofCanada’s strengths and capabilities, she will also shed light on global issues that affect manufacturing competitiveness.
- Canadian Debut of the Festo SmartBird: The one-of-a-kind SmartBird – an intelligent robot designed and built by Germany-based Festo to look and move like a herring gull – is making its first-ever Canadian appearance at CMTS 2013. Recognized on the international stage for its ability to decode the flight movements of birds, the SmartBird is considered a major breakthrough in automation technology and will be useful in future applications such as hybrid drive technology and next-generation robotic aircrafts. Daily demonstrations of the robot will be held in Hall One of Innovation Alley. For flight times, visit www.cmts.ca.
- Ontario Skills Gap Panel (Tuesday, October 1, 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.): On the heels of a report indicating Ontario’s skills gap is costing the province more than $24 billion in economic activity, SME moderator Pam Hurt, Industry Manager – Workforce Development, will convene a high-level panel of industry experts as they explore what their organizations are doing to address the skilled workforce shortage and how others can benefit from their programs. Including representatives from the Ontario Aerospace Council (OAC), national association for Canadian medical technology (MEDEC), Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association (APMA) and Skills Ontario, the panel will consider how industry certification programs can be used to improve incoming and existing talent, and why developing a sustainable, highly-skilled talent pipeline is vital to Canada’s long-term economic success.
- Firsthand Look at Historical Avro Arrow Bomber Interceptor: Visitors to CMTS 2013 will get a chance to view a singular piece of Canadian aviation history with the presentation of the Avro Arrow RL-203, the only full-size replica of the aircraft in existence today. Considered one of Canada’s most remarkable manufacturing innovations, the original Avro CF-105 Arrow was built in the late 1950s as a twin-engine supersonic interceptor aircraft designed to destroy enemy bombers. On display throughout the four days, the replica pays tribute to one of the most advanced aircrafts ever produced in Canada, capable of reaching speeds faster than the speed of sound.
- Medical Manufacturing Innovation Centre – Emma’s Magic Arms (Wednesday, October 2, 1:00 to 1:20 p.m.): A look at how 3D printing changed the world of one small child with neuromuscular disease by enabling her to be fitted with a lightweight, flexible arm orthosis (device that guides movement). Whereas the device is typically mounted to a wheelchair, 3D printing provided the means to print smaller, lighter components that are worn in a body jacket, giving children who have use of their legs a novel way to benefit from the technology. To see more, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wLfKaP96dI.
- APMA Automotive Outlook Conference (Wednesday, October 2): Occurring within CMTS 2013, the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association is hosting its 18th annual outlook conference in partnership with Export Development Canada and SME. The event features a keynote luncheon by Jerry Chenkin, president and CEO of Honda Canada, and will cover key challenges facing Canadian automotive suppliers. It will also discuss advanced control systems for manufacturing and provide a glimpse at the ‘Connected Vehicle.’
- Additional Innovation Alley Highlights: University students from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, as well as other Canadian universities and research groups, will demonstrate Formula, Solar and Baja (small off-road vehicle) team cars designed as part of an intercollegiate SME competition; Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) will showcase a ground-breaking unmanned aircraft vehicle designed by Brican Flight Systems Inc. that is considered to be at the forefront of industrial design and innovation.
Delivering on its theme of “Expect More,” CMTS 2013 boasts a new, leading-edge feature area – Terminal 4 – Where Knowledge Takes Flight – that serves as a central hub for knowledge exchange and networking. The manufacturing-themed terminal connects the event’s five exhibit halls and includes an array of ‘Duty-Free Manufacturing Shops’ offering resources from SME and its industry partners; a special presentation stage on the luggage carousel; a dedicated WiFi zone; concierge service and more.
CMTS isCanada’s largest and most respected manufacturing event, presenting the most up-to-date industry developments and solutions to more than 10,000 manufacturing professionals from across the country and around the world. The event showcases the latest technologies and solutions in the machine tool, tooling, metal forming and fabricating, automation, design engineering and plant management segments.
For more information or to register for the Canadian Manufacturing Technology Show 2013, please visit www.cmts.ca.