About
Learn about the London Economic Development Corporation and our team.
Southwestern Ontario’s manufacturing strength was on full display at the annual Manufacturing Matters conference on October 2, 2025. Hosted by the LEDC and London Region Manufacturing Council, the half-day event at RBC Place London drew close to 1,000 participants, selling out the venue with record-pace registration.
Attendees filled the venue to hear from industry leaders, explore a bustling exhibitor floor, and attend practical breakout sessions — a clear signal that Southwestern Ontario’s manufacturing ecosystem is firing on all cylinders.
The conference opened with greetings from Kapil Lakhotia, President and CEO of LEDC, and Mayor Josh Morgan, both pointing to the sector’s vital role in London’s economy. A student-produced video, presented by Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME), reminded attendees that the future workforce is already gearing up to carry the industry forward.
But the real electricity came from the morning keynote. Linda Hasenfratz, Executive Chair of Linamar Corporation, delivered a crisp, forward-looking talk that combined hard milestones with an imperative for long-term thinking. Hasenfratz highlighted Linamar’s recent stretch past $10 billion in annual sales, outlined the company’s ambitious 100-year plan, and framed electrification as a strategic pivot, not a short-term disruption, to be seized. Her message landed: invest in people, integrate new tech, and plan beyond the next quarter.
Her reflections on electrification resonated strongly with attendees, particularly given the wave of EV-related investments and supply chain shifts happening across Ontario. Rather than being sidelined by tariffs and uncertainty, she argued, manufacturers in this region are well-positioned to adapt and lead.
“It’s incredible to see nearly a thousand people here talking about the future of manufacturing,” says Jack Adams, manager of business development at LEDC. “The excitement isn’t just about what’s happening now, it’s about what’s next.”
The main hall quickly transformed into an energetic marketplace of ideas. LinkedIn posts from participating vendors announced their presence and invited colleagues to stop by — names like Daifuku and other regional suppliers tweeted/posted that they were on the floor, reinforcing the exhibitor strength LEDC had been promoting. Attendees and exhibitors described the show floor as a concentrated snapshot of the region’s capabilities: from automation and data tools to services that help manufacturers scale.
Programming after the keynote offered breadth and depth: nine concurrent breakout sessions tackled topics such as cybersecurity readiness, AI and data operations, leadership in uncertain times, legal and labour considerations, and funding supports. Rather than skimming the surface, sessions were designed to give operators tactical takeaways attendees could bring back to the shop floor. The optional afternoon plant tours — visiting Bosco & Roxy’s, Starlim NA, and Abuma Manufacturing — gave a practical close to the day for those who wanted to see innovation live in action.
Manufacturing Matters 2025 didn’t just recap the health of the sector, it amplified it. With electrification, advanced automation, and a deepening talent pipeline on display, the event reinforced that Southwestern Ontario isn’t merely surviving global shifts; it’s shaping them. Expect the post-event conversation, quotes, photos, and short video highlights to keep rolling out across LinkedIn and other channels as attendees and vendors share what they learned and who they connected with.
With a sold-out audience, a powerhouse keynote, and a showcase of regional excellence, this year’s conference reaffirmed what many in the room already knew: manufacturing in Southwestern Ontario sets the standard.
