July 15, 2025 - German Technology Day 2025 Where Innovation Meets Innovators - September 16th at the Toronto Congress Centre
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German Technology Day 2025: Where Innovation Meets Innovators – September 16th at the Toronto Congress Centre

The German Technology Day brings together prominent companies in automation and advanced manufacturing, with their headquarters in Germany. This annual trade show and conference will feature an exhibit hall open all day, congruent presentations, and an exciting Innovation Hub featuring the latest technology from the exhibitors. Whether you are a Design Engineer, Technician, System Integrator, Panel Builder, or Supply Chain Professional, this is your opportunity to connect with cutting-edge technologies and the minds behind them. Let’s shape the future of technology—together.

July 9, 2025 - Schneider Electric Canada Inaugurates a New Production Line in Brossard, Quebec
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Schneider Electric Canada Inaugurates a New Production Line in Brossard, Quebec

Schneider Electric Canada announces the expansion of its facility in Brossard, Quebec. This strategic development includes the addition of a new production line dedicated to the local manufacturing of Schneider Electric’s advanced electrical equipment and power distribution devices—essential components for the electrification of buildings, hospitals, data centers, and infrastructure across Canada. The expansion will create new jobs in Quebec and improve delivery times for Canadian customers. It also enhances Schneider Electric’s ability to support the country’s energy transition and infrastructure resilience by ensuring the local production of critical components. The new production line creates 70 more jobs and increases Schneider’s production capacity by 30%.

June 24, 2025 - Weidmüller Canada Committed to Further Innovation & Growth in Canadian Industry
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Weidmüller Canada: Committed to Continued Innovation & Growth in Canadian Industry

June has marked some major milestones for Weidmüller Canada, having recently celebrated 50 years of operation in Canada, in addition to 175 years of developing innovative solutions that have helped shape industries on a global scale. As part of the company’s ongoing national expansion, a new facility strategically located in Southeast Calgary, will serve as Weidmüller’s regional hub for Western Canada, supporting operations across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.

June 12, 2025 - What Is the Role of Technology in Canadian Manufacturing A Reality Check with Schneider Electric 
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What Is the Role of Technology in Canadian Manufacturing? A Reality Check with Schneider Electric 

Canadian manufacturing is in a tricky situation: it faces a labour and skills shortage that threatens its competitiveness and profitability. These shortages mean Canada missed out on almost $13 billion last year, according to a recent survey. An economic loss that by any means should not be discounted, especially since manufacturing is Canada’s second largest industry. So how do we fix this? Can advanced technology save Canadian manufacturing? Hugo Lafontaine, VP of Automation, Energy, Digitalization, and IoT at Schneider Electric Canada gives us a reality check on the situation.  

Tariff-Free Automation Products in Canada from Electromate
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Tariff-Free Automation Products in Canada from Electromate

Electromate understands how recent tariff policies have impacted the cost and availability of automation components across North America. That’s why they have made it easier for Canadian manufacturers, OEMs, and system integrators to source tariff-free mechatronic and robotic automation components. Electromate is a Canadian-owned and operated company with representation and technical support across Canada. Their product portfolio includes a growing list of high-quality, globally respected manufacturers whose products are exempt from tariffs when purchased in Canada.

June 3, 2025 - ABB Acquires Bel Products Inc. to Expand Enclosures Portfolio in North America 1
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ABB Acquires Bel Products Inc. to Expand Enclosures Portfolio in North America

ABB Electrification Canada Inc. announced it has completed its acquisition of Bel Products Inc., a major Canadian manufacturer of commercial, industrial and custom-made enclosures. This acquisition enhances ABB’s market presence in Canada and the U.S., expanding its product portfolio and enabling the company to leverage its manufacturing, warehousing and supply chain capabilities to better meet growing customer demand. The financial terms of the transaction are undisclosed. The enclosures market is experiencing strong growth, fueled by rising demand in data centers, OEM applications and the electrical industry. As digital infrastructure expands and electrification accelerates, the demand for safe, reliable, high-performance enclosure solutions continues to grow.

May 30, 2025 - New Community Event “Automation Happy Hour” Launches June 12 to Bring Together Canada’s Industrial Innovators - One Beer at a Time!
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New Community Event “Automation Happy Hour” Launches June 12 to Bring Together Canada’s Industrial Innovators – One Beer at a Time!

A new quarterly event is launching in Cambridge that’s poised to become the go-to gathering for automation professionals across Ontario. The inaugural Automation Happy Hour will take place on Wednesday, June 12, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at Four Fathers Brewing Co., located at 125 Guelph Avenue, Cambridge, Ontario. Designed as a casual, come-as-you-are event, Automation Happy Hour is not your typical networking night. There are no presentations, no PowerPoints, and no sales pitches – just good beer, great conversation, and a room full of controls engineers, designers, millwrights, integrators, engineers, and techs from every corner of the automation and manufacturing world.

May 21, 2025 - Techspan_ IMO Panel Product Range
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Techspan: IMO Panel Product Range

IMO’s Panel product range continues to deliver innovation and efficiency worldwide and is where technology and expertise in engineering come together. IMO’s Panel range has been specifically designed to meet the demanding needs of today’s panel builders and engineers whose requirements can range from a simple DIN rail terminal through to a complete panel solution. IMO’s products allow panel builders globally to deliver significant advances through greater efficiency, reliability and high performance, thereby increasing their competitive advantage and delivering the optimum panel solution. When purchasing from IMO you can be confident that over 40 years’ experience servicing the Panel Builder market has gone into the design and development of the IMO range.

Boîtiers STA & NOARK: Powering Reliability Across Public & Private Sectors
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Boîtiers STA & NOARK: Powering Reliability Across Public & Private Sectors

With over 40 years of field experience, electrical contractor Guy St-Amour developed an innovative product that led to the founding of Boîtiers STA. In 2011, a special request for a safe outlet for an 800-amp mobile load bank resulted in the prototype for a line of custom-made boxes designed for quick and secure electrical connections. Boîtiers STA quickly grew from a garage operation into a thriving business, now co-owned by Guy’s daughter, Karianne St-Amour. Boîtiers STA turned to NOARK when their previous supplier discontinued its 1200A circuit breaker. Karianne St-Amour says: “We really like the NOARK product, and everything about the company: efficient service, quick delivery, extended warranty. Our customers appreciate the product, so we have decided to continue with NOARK as they are always coming up with unique products and features. The frame is not only more appealing, but more effective and safer. Clients also love the warranty and quality – this opens up new opportunities in new markets and puts us ahead of the curve.”

Endress+Hauser to Supply Canadian Process Sector from Europe to Minimize Tariff Effects
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Endress+Hauser to Supply Canadian Process Sector from Europe to Minimize Tariff Effects

Customers in Canada will not be impacted financially on their orders due to tariffs at this time. Endress+Hauser announced it will supply the Canadian process sector with its industrial analysis and measurement instruments and other products directly from its production facilities in Europe to minimize tariff effects. The family owned Endress+Hauser Group, headquartered in Reinach, Switzerland, has decided to temporarily shift fulfillment of any new orders from Canada that previously would have been produced in the United States to its production centres in Europe wherever possible.

Rexel Canada Announces Acquistion of Jacmar Automation
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Rexel Canada Announces Acquisition of Jacmar Automation

Rexel Canada is pleased to announce it has acquired Jacmar Automation, a major industrial automation supplier based in Quebec. This acquisition is in alignment with Rexel Canada’s Accelerate 28 strategy and strengthens their presence in the Quebec market. Since its founding in 1994, Jacmar Automation has built a reputation for delivering exceptional services, support, and innovative solutions in industrial automation. With multiple facilities across the province Quebec, Jacmar has been a trusted partner for over three decades, serving a diverse range of clients throughout Canada and beyond. As Rexel moves forward, the Jacmar Automation team will work closely with Nicholas Zigayer and his Westburne Quebec team, all while maintaining its current leadership structure. This partnership is set to enhance local market support and create synergies that will empower both Jacmar and Westburne to expand their footprint in the vital Canadian industrial sector. This acquisition is a significant milestone for Rexel Canada, highlighting the immense potential they see in their industrial market and creating valuable opportunities for collaboration between Westburne Quebec and Jacmar Automation. It also complements their investment in Apex Automation Ltd in Alberta, further enhancing the momentum Rexel has built within the service segment of their growth strategy. A heartfelt thank you to Gabriel Jacques, Audrey Heurzeau (Pedreira) and Véronique Douville for their hard work in closing this transaction, as well as to the leadership teams at both Jacmar and Westburne Quebec for their dedication in bringing this opportunity forward.

April 24, 2025 - Proax Wins SMC 2025 Automation Innovator Award
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Proax Wins SMC 2025 Automation Innovator Award

Proax Technologies is thrilled to announce that they have received the 2025 Automation Innovator Award from SMC, a global competitor in pneumatic and automation solutions. This prestigious award recognizes Proax’s outstanding contributions in delivering innovative pneumatic systems, custom-engineered solutions, and energy-efficient automation technology to manufacturers across Canada. As an SMC Elite Distributor, this achievement reflects the strength of Proax’s collaboration and the engineering expertise behind every solution they offer.

IPEX Launches New Centre for Advanced Research in Mississauga to Drive Innovation in North America
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IPEX Launches New Centre for Advanced Research in Mississauga to Drive Innovation in North America

IPEX has announced the grand opening of the IPEX Centre for Advanced Research, an investment of over $30 million in a state-of-the-art facility, dedicated to accelerating product innovation and reinforcing the company’s manufacturing operations across North America. Located at 6760 Campobello Rd., the new Centre consolidates IPEX’s innovation processes and will enable the company to bring new products to market faster, while continuing to develop sustainable and reliable piping solutions. The facility will serve a range of customer needs across municipal, industrial, commercial, and residential sectors. The facility features over 50,000 sq. ft of operational space dedicated to testing and developing new products, trialing new material formulations, office space, and a training and collaboration area where customers can co-create and experience new product innovations firsthand. IPEX will employ advanced technologies, including 3D printing and AI to further streamline product development.

Canada Stands Tall at Hannover Messe 2025
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Canada Stands Tall at Hannover Messe 2025

Canadian skills and talent were highlighted at Hannover Messe earlier this month Canada had a strong presence as the host country with a wide variety of companies and programs focusing on the development of advance technology. The presence was accentuated by numerous halls hosting Canada pavilions. Partner Country Canada presented itself impressively at HANNOVER MESSE. The innovative role of Canadian companies and institutions in key areas such as artificial intelligence, digitalization and renewable energies is particularly noteworthy. The close cooperation with international partners and the strong focus on sustainable technologies underline Canada’s importance as a dynamic player in the global markets of the future.

Powering Up: How Canadian Innovation is Changing Motor Control
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Powering Up: How Canadian Innovation is Changing Motor Control

SmartD Technologies is a Canadian startup company that has created what they say is the world’s first clean power VFD. Industries around the world stand to benefit from their clean sine technology, which eliminates the negative effects of harmonics and pulse-width modulation found in traditional systems. Simon Leblond, CEO and co-founder of SmartD Technologies, discusses how they are navigating the evolving geopolitical environment to manufacture and deliver their product. SmartD’s clean power VFD uses silicon carbide (SiC) chips. These groundbreaking materials offer faster switching speeds and lower energy losses than conventional semiconductors. SmartD’s VFDs generate a clean sine wave both on the grid and the load side, eliminating the destructive effects of harmonics on the motors and ancillary equipment. This revolution in motor control with a global impact is proudly a Canadian innovation.

Beckhoff: Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz Tested AI-Assisted Engineering for Programming Industrial Control Systems Accompanied by Stéphane Dion, Canada’s Special Envoy for Europe & European Union
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Beckhoff: Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz Tested AI-Assisted Engineering for Programming Industrial Control Systems Accompanied by Stéphane Dion, Canada’s Special Envoy for Europe & European Union

The Beckhoff TwinCAT control software plays a central role in powerful automation solutions. It transforms almost every PC-based system into a real-time controller and, with its modular structure, unites all the necessary control functions, including PLC, motion control, machine safety, measurement technology, image processing, and artificial intelligence. AI in particular opens up immense potential, for example in developing machines and systems faster and more efficiently. TwinCAT CoAgent, the powerful Beckhoff tool for AI-supported engineering, is crucial here. TwinCAT CoAgent is a personal digital assistant for engineers that revolutionizes the entire engineering workflow, as Chancellor Scholz was able to see for himself: by entering a simple prompt in TwinCAT CoAgent, he created a control program that made a Beckhoff XPlanar mover hover in a circle. The Federal Chancellor and Canadian Minister were impressed.