BEDC NEXT GENERATION MANUFACTURING INITIATIVE

Next Generation Manufacturing Strategy and Action Plan
BEDC Shaping Things to Come Report

Manufacturing in Burlington is a key driver of economic prosperity. BEDC's economic goals include enriching our manufacturing employment base while increasing productivity and output by 10-15% over the next decade.  Keeping productivity high means working with manufacturers today to design solutions for tomorrow.

Finding solutions that meet the needs of Burlington's diverse manufacturers begins with the shared recognition that to grow and prosper, Burlington's manufacturing sector must be prepared to embrace change.   BEDC Chair, Mark Gregory states "... there is a realization that old responses to the economic cycles will not be sufficient and that that we need to be looking for new ways of doing business and preparing our companies and work force to meet the challenging times before us." James Peters, President of Hadrian Manufacturing, concurs: "We all need to find new ways of doing business to ensure not only our own business success but for the future economic prosperity of the City of Burlington and Province of Ontario".

Launched in the fall of 2009, with support from the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges & Universities' Labour Market Partnerships, Burlington Economic Development Corporation's (BEDC) Next Generation Manufacturing Initiative is designed to engage Burlington's manufacturers in shaping their future and creating momentum to move our manufacturing economy in a sustainable direction.  During tough times, business must not only have the right economic tools to survive but must be strategically positioned and aligned to seize the market opportunities that growth brings.

BEDC's Next Generation Manufacturing project is a work in progress and is being conducted in partnership with:

• Focus Business Consultants (FBC): a partner business of the Degroote School of Business, McMaster University has completed an economic profile of manufacturing in Burlington. The FBC study confirms the economic weight and importance of manufacturing to Burlington's economic prosperity. The FBC Economic Profile also forms the basis for Deloitte's initial analysis of  the economic contribution of manufacturing to Burlington's economy;
• Deloitte:  In September, Deloitte Touche of Burlington was engaged by BEDC to conduct a series of interviews with manufacturers to review and identify manufacturing workforce needs and leading edge business models and global practices. Based on their research, Deloitte will make recommendations to BEDC with a focus on generating opportunities for improved collaboration between businesses and facilitating rapid adoption of new business methods.  Deloitte also contributed to BEDC's recent Job Fair with a presentation on Career Prospects in Manufacturing.
• Jump-Point:  Jump-Point was engaged by BEDC to provide strategic communications support throughout the project development process including facilitation of the Industry Roundtable; advising on effective project communications and consultation processes; and, providing strategic advice and support in the design of the Next Generation Manufacturing Strategy and Action Plan.

A number of background studies and presentations have been completed to date. They include:

A Presentation on Career Prospects in Manufacturing by Deloitte to the BEDC Job Fair, September 2009

A Presentation on Manufacturing by Deloitte to BEDC Manufacturing Roundtable, November 2009

BEDC Manufacturing Roundtable Consultation Paper #1 prepared by Jump-Point and BEDC, November 2009

A Presentation on Emerging Consultation Themes and Manufacturing Study Highlights by Deloitte, January 2010

"Insights and Actions for Burlington Manufacturers" a Background Study highlighting global trends shaping the Next Generation of Manufacturers and some of the individual actions that leading Burlington manufacturers recommend - prepared by Deloitte, February 2010.

A Presentation to the Community Development Committee, held March 29 2010.

A Presentation to the April 2010 Manufacturing Roundtable, held on April 15 2010.

BEDC's Manufacturing Roundtable Consultation Paper #2 prepared by Jump-Point and BEDC, April 2010.

BEDC's Community Development Committee Presentation, held in July 2010.

Unlocking Business Genius - E-Book from Jump-Point

The Next Generation Manufacturing Strategy and Action Plan, BEDC Shaping Things to Come Report

BEDC welcomes your comments.  If you have questions or comments to share, please call Kyle Benham, Executive Director at 905 332-9415, ext. 7252 or Antoinette Wells, Project Manager at 905 332-9415, ext. 7265.