WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT TO WISCONSIN: Wisconsin companies offering automation-related products or services may find opportunities in multiple Canadian sectors.
Canada is leading the way in advanced manufacturing, according to the industry and the government.
Industrial automation contributes $7 billion a year to Canada’s economy and creates 40,000 jobs a year, according to a news release by the Canadian Manufacturing Technology Show.
The organization cites developments such the smart factory and warehouse Deloitte opened in Montreal in early 2023. The project, called the Smart Factory@Montreal, runs entirely on automation technologies—including artificial intelligence, sensors, robots, the Internet of Things, big data, and more—to run production lines, manage inventory, and track shipments. Deloitte says the factory averts supply chain disruptions and ensures that production times meet customer demand. The facility is designed to help manufacturers understand the benefits of automation by giving them hands-on experience.
The Canadian government is also investing in manufacturing automation. In 2023, Canada authorized $700 million for five Global Innovation Clusters, three of which are involved in advanced manufacturing and digital technology. In addition, Next Generation Manufacturing Canada, an industry-led nonprofit, has announced $19 million for the Global Innovation Clusters for several projects that will bring AI into manufacturing.
Canada has its own national association representing the country’s industrial automation companies. Automate Canada was founded in 2018 by the Canadian Association of Moldmakers.
The Canadian Manufacturing Technology Show says advancements such as these “have helped give Canada a global reputation for innovation within manufacturing automation.”
Wisconsin companies with industrial automation technology could find opportunities in Canada.
