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Auto parts makers look ahead to the future |
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 It was a challenging year for the Canadian auto parts industry to say the least, but manufacturers need to keep their eyes on the future. That was the message at this year’s Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association’s (APMA) annual conference and exhibition.
The theme of this year’s conference, which was held at the Hamilton
Convention Centre, Hamilton, ON, was “Developing 2020 Vision.” Keynote
speakers at the two-day event included Ford Motor Company of Canada
President and Chief Executive Officer Barry Engle and Bo Andersson,
Group Vice President of General Motors Corporation. The event also
featured an innovation panel moderated by the Auto21 Network.
“What doesn’t break you makes you stronger,” noted APMA Board of
Directors member Jan Chaplin during the association’s annual general
meeting, which kicked off the 2008 conference.
During 2007, the APMA certainly did it’s best to strengthen the
industry. “APMA’s focus and services continue to change to meet the
ever changing environment in which our members operate,” said APMA
President Gerald Fedchun. “Through the continued support of its
members, APMA has been very effective in garnering attention for our
sector, affecting positive change and increasing government support
while APMA itself engages in activities which enhance the
competitiveness of its members.”
Several achievements were noted including getting the federal
government to allow the accelerated (two-year) write-off for new
machining and equipment and a commitment by the Ontario government not
to support a Free Trade Agreement with Korea, unless Ontario businesses
have equal access to the Korean market.
Also announced was the launch of a strategic initiative-the APMA Market
Intelligence Program (AMIP). It is aimed at improving the
competitiveness of Canadian automotive suppliers by providing a low
cost, high benefit, business planning solution. The AMIP initiative
will be powered by the industry-leading market intelligence databases
and software of AutomotiveCompass Ltd.
“Competitiveness is based on innovation. We are helping Canadian
automotive suppliers to improve the productivity of their planning
efforts,” said Fedchun. “The AMIP innovation combines accelerating the
planning and information access and analysis process, improving member
support services and lowering member costs.”
In other announcements, the APMA and the Canadian Tooling and Machining
Association (CTMA) will use $1.2 million in provincial funding to
increase their competitiveness and strengthen Ontario’s manufacturing
base.
“This is about strengthening Ontario auto supply chain from beginning
to end,” said Sandra Pupatello, Minister of Economic Development and
Trade. “We’re investing strategically to get car companies building in
Ontario, sourcing from Ontario parts makers, who in turn get their
tooling designed and built here too.”
The CTMA will assess shortfalls in software skills across the industry
and work with suppliers to identify solutions. This will include
testing and evaluating software and developing new training programs.
The APMA will pilot cost reduction projects at a number of auto parts
companies and share the results across the industry. The association
will also engage consultants with expertise in manufacturing cost
reduction and develop new business with Japanese and European auto
makers building vehicles in North America.
“This project is going to deliver targeted, tailored advice to help our
member companies boost competitiveness and diversify their customer
base,” added Fedchun. “It’s an important step for our industry to
adjust to the new realities of our business climate.”
apma.ca
This article was written by John Tenpenny, editor of Advanced Manufacturing.
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