This yearly event features conferences and exhibition on the best of German technology for industrial automation and advanced manufacturing. Discover the latest advancements in automation, AI, robotics, manufacturing, and smart technologies while connecting with industry leaders and technical experts. Attendees can look forward to a day filled with innovation, collaboration, and valuable conversations.
Mac’s II Agencies is expanding its electrical portfolio across British Columbia and Yukon with five major brands from Hubbell, enhancing their ability to support hazardous location and industrial project business with reliable, field proven solutions for demanding environments. From explosion proof distribution equipment and industrial lighting to the connectors, glands, and hardware that tie an industrial installation together, these additions broaden the options available to industrial customers in BC, backed by Mac’s II Agencies’ technical expertise and proven project support.
In today’s technology-driven world, small data centres play a critical role in housing and processing vast amounts of information. However, with increasing data loads and processing demands, the issue of cooling becomes even more crucial. Efficient cooling is essential to ensure that servers and other equipment perform optimally while avoiding potential overheating and equipment failures. This article explores the various factors that influence the choice of cooling solutions for small data centres and focus on a promising cold water-based solution – the RiMatrix Micro Data Center by Rittal.
Siemens has announced a major expansion of its Saskatoon research and development hub, strengthening Siemens’ EDA business within Siemens Digital Industries Software to support rising global demand for advanced semiconductor and artificial intelligence technologies. The expansion adds 10,000 square feet at the Innovation Saskatchewan Research and Technology Park, bringing the site to approximately 45,000 square feet and enabling continued growth in AI software development for next-generation chip design.
Short Circuit Current Rating (SCCR) is often treated like a label to check and move on. That is a mistake. One of the biggest sources of confusion in the field is failing to separate two very different ideas: the ability to interrupt and the ability to withstand. A breaker or fuse may have the interrupting capacity needed to clear a fault, but that does not automatically mean the full assembly behind it can survive that same event safely. That is where SCCR matters. This becomes even more important in VFD panels.
When organizations think about seismic preparedness, they typically focus on buildings, backup generators, and emergency response plans. However, one critical component is often overlooked: the rack supporting the network infrastructure. For hospitals, emergency operations centers, municipal facilities, utilities, and public safety agencies, network connectivity is essential during and after a seismic event. If the rack fails, the equipment it supports may become inaccessible or disconnected when it’s needed most. That’s why many mission-critical facilities are specifying seismic-rated rack infrastructure as part of their resiliency strategy.
Siemens Canada welcomed customers, partners and government officials on June 10, 2026, to celebrate the completion of a year-long expansion project at its Drummondville manufacturing facility. The project is a major milestone in the company’s ongoing investment in advanced, sustainable, and digitally enabled manufacturing in Québec and across Canada. The expansion includes the opening of a second Drummondville location, significantly increasing manufacturing capacity and flexibility at the plant, while integrating advanced digital tools, automation, and a modernized facility layout. The project includes the addition of more than 40,000 square feet of new production space, expanded logistics capabilities, and the deployment of digital design-to-manufacturing technologies that enhance productivity, quality, and customer lead times.
Anyone in IT knows that getting into a data center isn’t easy—and that’s by design. Employees undergo background checks, visitors are closely monitored, and multi-layered physical security controls are standard. While most of the focus tends to fall on network security and facility access, cabinet-level security is an often-overlooked but critical line of defense. In the past, restricting entry to the data center was considered enough. If unauthorized individuals were kept out and basic safeguards could be shown to auditors, you were covered. But today’s reality is different. Even with robust perimeter controls, threats can emerge from within—whether it’s a disgruntled technician, a tenant in a colocation environment, or an engineer accidently making a costly mistake during an outage. In these situations, rack-level protections are the last line of defense against equipment tampering and data loss.
In automotive manufacturing, precision directly affects performance, cost, and customer perception. A deviation of just a fraction of a millimeter can lead to noise, vibration, premature wear, or failed inspections. Over time, these small issues become large ones, leading to warranty claims, rework, and inefficiencies. That’s why manufacturers are increasingly focused on zero-defect production, eliminating variation at the source rather than correcting it later. Achieving precision no longer requires complex systems. Solutions like OMRON’s ZP-L enable reliable defect detection, strong repeatability and reliability, and consistent performance across materials using non-contact sensing and non-color dependent detection, without adding unnecessary complexity.
NOARK Electric has announced the compatibility of its M-Series molded case circuit breakers (MCCBs) with Rittal’s RiLineX 60 mm busbar system through specialized component adapters designed for modern panel-building applications. The integration combines NOARK’s high-performance circuit protection technology with RiLineX’s innovative universal mounting platform to deliver faster assembly, enhanced flexibility, and simplified system design for panel builders and OEMs. NOARK’s M1, M2, and M3 MCCBs are fully supported within the RiLineX ecosystem, enabling streamlined installation and optimized power distribution configurations across industrial and commercial applications.
ABB has entered into its first Indigenous channel partner collaboration in Canada with LaFlesche, an Indigenous‑owned advanced manufacturing, machining and rapid prototyping firm based in the Kahnawà:ke community in Quebec. The partnership will complement LaFlesche’s core offerings while strengthening ABB’s network of authorized third-party vendors by expanding access to its automation, electrification and digital solutions through an Indigenous distribution partner serving the critical industrial sectors across Canada. Under the partnership, LaFlesche becomes an authorized ABB channel partner, building on trusted customer relationships and deep technical expertise to deliver select ABB solutions and services to both public‑ and private‑sector clients. The collaboration will help ABB’s customers reduce dependence on offshore supply chains and help ensure that mission-critical systems continue operating at peak performance throughout their full lifecycle.
Rockwell Automation has released findings from its 11th annual “State of Smart Manufacturing” report. The global study of more than 1,500 manufacturers across 17 countries shows a shift in industry focus: manufacturers are no longer debating whether to adopt digital technologies, but how to execute, scale and deliver measurable value from them. The report reflects an inflection point for the industry, as many manufacturers move beyond experimentation and toward broader deployment of digital capabilities. Fewer organizations are operating in pilot mode, while more report active use of smart manufacturing technologies to support day-to-day operations.
In a market where speed, flexibility, and reliability have become essential, STA Boxes is reaching a major milestone in its growth journey. The Québec-based family business is proud to announce its move into facilities nearly four times larger, expanding from 2,200 to 8,000 square feet. This strategic move will allow the company to better meet rapidly growing demand. Founded in 2015 by Guy St-Amour, who brings over 40 years of experience as an electrical contractor, STA Boxes was built around strong core values: proximity, flexibility, and quality execution. Today, the next generation is firmly in place with Karianne St-Amour actively contributing to the company’s evolution. The result is a modern vision closely aligned with the operational realities faced by customers in the field. This growth also includes new local hires across Québec to support increasing market demand.
The Mechanical Electrical Electronic Technology (MEET) show saw a powerful return to Moncton, NB on May 6-7, setting a new attendance record with 7,532 participants attending the two-day event. The biennial show, now in its 26th edition, is touted as the premier industry trade show in the region featuring the latest equipment, cutting-edge technology, informative seminars, and industry networking opportunities.
ATS Industrial Automation is expanding its Cambridge operations with the opening of a new facility at 255 Intermarket Road, a strategic move that reflects growing customer demand. The new building adds 125,000 square feet to the company’s local footprint, including 85,000 square feet of dedicated project build space. This expansion represents a significant increase in both total square footage and project build capacity, enabling ATS Industrial Automation to scale production and support a growing portfolio of complex automation programs for both their nuclear and manufacturing customers.
In today’s fast-evolving energy and manufacturing landscapes, product safety, performance, and reliability are under greater scrutiny than ever before. For OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and players in the renewable energy sector, one certification has emerged as a gold standard—UL certification. Although not legally mandatory in all regions of North America, UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certification is widely accepted, highly trusted, and often considered non-negotiable by project stakeholders, product specifiers, and compliance officers. When the stakes involve high-voltage systems, megawatt-level equipment, or critical infrastructure like data centers or HVAC systems, the absence of UL certification can become a barrier to market entry and a risk to end users. This article explores why UL certification should be a top priority for OEMs and renewable energy developers, especially when it comes to circuit protection components from trusted brands like NOARK.
This project is funded [in part] by the Government of Canada.
Ce projet est financé [en partie] par le gouvernement du Canada.
