Developing London’s Expertise in Lean Manufacturing

The McGuinty government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) to develop and deliver training to improve quality and productivity in Ontario’s manufacturing sector.

Chris Bentley, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities and MPP London-West and Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the CME, signed the MOU which outlined an agreement to develop more expertise in lean manufacturing, a total approach to manufacturing that emphasizes quality, efficiency and doing things from a customer point of view.

“The manufacturing sector is essential to London’s prosperity and Ontario’s future,” Bentley said. “That’s why we are partnering with the CME to ensure Ontario’s highly skilled workers have the expertise in lean manufacturing needed to increase the competitiveness of Ontario’s manufacturing sector.”

“In today’s economy, customers and competitors can be right next door or they can be on the other side of the globe. That means Ontario’s manufacturers need to be the best in the world to compete,” said Beatty. “Lean thinking helps businesses focus on activities that add value for customers, giving them the competitive edge that can make the difference between success and failure. CME is grateful for Minister Bentley's leadership and we are delighted to partner with the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities in providing this vital tool to Ontario manufacturers.”

To develop more expertise in lean manufacturing, the McGuinty government is providing the CME with $300,000 this year to establish up to six working groups of 12 to 15 manufacturers. These working groups will be established in different locations throughout Ontario, one of which will be based in London. Each group will conduct research, develop knowledge and share best practices in lean manufacturing. The working groups will:

• conduct research and identify existing gaps
• introduce tools and techniques required to implement sustainable solution in the fastest possible time
• facilitate in-plant assessments by experts to identify improvements and establish benchmarks. Assessments provide other businesses with examples on how to develop and implement lean manufacturing methods and strategies.

By identifying what customers see as value, lean manufacturing allows companies to focus resources on customer demands in quality and product features. By understanding how customers define value, costs that do not add value are reduced or eliminated. Manufacturing production is organized to deliver the exact product in the exact quantity with the exact quality that the customer demands.

This investment is being made through the government’s Sector Initiatives Fund, which allocates up to $1 million a year in projects that provide a clear economic benefit to Ontario and provide benefits to more than one employer. Funded projects include those that increase the industry’s competitiveness, support skills acquisition, develop training courses, standards, curriculum and materials that increase the skill levels of workers in a specific economic sector.

Projects are cost-shared with the sector to encourage employers to train and develop training and skills-certification projects. Employers are also encouraged to find additional sources of funding to sustain the programs on an ongoing basis.

“By joining with the CME to identify best practices of lean manufacturing and provide training for Ontario companies, we are helping increase the skills of our workers which will allow them to compete globally and build Ontario’s future economy,” said Bentley. “We are working to ensure everyone in Ontario has the tools they need to prosper in the economy of the 21st century.”