Latest News

  • | | | |

    The Dumping of Aluminum Wire & Cable into North America: Industry Impacts and a Call to Protect Domestic North American Manufacturing

    The North American aluminum wire and cable market is facing a critical threat from the dumping of below-cost imports, primarily from China and Vietnam and other offshore suppliers. This unfair trade practice jeopardizes committed domestic North American manufacturers such as Southwire, Nexans, Northern Cables, Electro Cables, Deca, Shawflex and Prysmian. All key brands committed to serving the Canadian market. But beyond manufacturing, the entire electrical ecosystem from distributors to contractors and specifying engineers will be exposed to risks arising from possible erosion of industry standards and inferior product quality. Furthermore, retail channels like Costco selling low-cost offshore wire add complexity to an already pressured market. And, in Canada specifically the government is now challenged to respond firmly by matching U.S. import tariffs to defend local industry and uphold safety and quality. Aluminum wire and cable is not a commodity. It involves specialized design, manufacturing, and certification processes that vary by application and performance requirements. Unlike commodity products that are largely interchangeable, aluminum wire and cable must meet strict North American standards such as CSA (Canadian Standards Association) and UL (Underwriters Laboratories) to ensure safety, reliability, and durability for residential, commercial, and industrial uses.

  • | |

    When Static Strikes: How One Manufacturing Manager’s Nightmare Became a Success Story

    Static electricity doesn’t announce itself with fanfare. It works quietly, accumulating charges that seem harmless until they’re not. One moment your packaging line runs smoothly, the next moment films are sticking to everything, dust is clinging to products, and your quality control team is pulling their hair out. At Proax, they have seen it countless times at facilities across Canada. The frustrated maintenance technician who’s tried everything. The quality manager dealing with customer complaints about contaminated products. The plant manager watching productivity metrics slide month after month, knowing something’s wrong but not quite sure what. Here’s the truth: static electricity costs Canadian manufacturers millions annually in lost productivity, damaged products, and safety incidents. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

  • | |

    Canada’s Next Leap: Innovation, Industry & Transformation

    On September 5, 2025, Prime Minister Carney announced a package of new measures aimed at protecting, building, and transforming Canada’s strategic industries.

    These measures are in addition to the steps the government has already taken in support of steel, aluminum, and softwood lumber and in establishing a Major Projects Office to fast-track large infrastructure projects. They will be followed shortly by announcements of a new Defence Industrial Strategy, Trade Diversification Strategy, and Build Canada Homes program, as well as by the government’s economic statement (budget) that is expected later this fall. The package announced by the Prime Minister represents more than just an assortment of new policy measures and programs. It reflects an integrated strategy that brings together industrial, innovation, and procurement policies aimed at stimulating demand and targeting industrial competitiveness, business growth, and transformation in a way that Canada hasn’t seen since the 1950s.

  • | | | |

    Schneider Electric Canada Leverages AI to Help Buildings Reach Net-Zero Without Full Scale Rebuilds

    Schneider Electric Canada is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to transform energy management across various end markets. To help buildings in Canada reach net zero, Schneider takes a multi-pronged approach to leverage AI to identify energy inefficiencies in homes and commercial and industrial institutions and monitor and adapt the technologies that are implemented in them to reduce emissions. “The building sector in Canada is quite diverse, and from a Schneider Electric standpoint, we look at all buildings. We look at residential buildings like single family homes or mixed-use dwellings, and we look at commercial, retail, institutional, and industrial facilities as well,” says Richard Henzie, Director of the Smart Building Division at Schneider Electric Canada. “If you look at some of the statistics globally, buildings in general account for up to 37% of carbon emissions,” he says. This is a significant contribution, but the good news is, there are lot of ways to reduce this number: decrease the amount of embodied carbon in new builds and minimize the operational emissions every building produces when they consume energy. Henzie says Schneider has solutions and strategies to help these different types of buildings better manage their operational emissions, with the added benefits of creating a more comfortable atmosphere in any building and saving money.

  • | | | | | | | |

    A Smart PLC Alternative: OPTA Series – (PLRs) Programmable Logic Relays

    If you’ve ever been stuck choosing between a simple relay and a full-blown PLC, you know the frustration. Relays feel too limited. PLCs? Too expensive, too complex, and loaded with features you’ll never use. What you really need is something in between. That’s exactly where the Finder OPTA Programmable Logic Relay (PLR) shines — the right-sized, cost-smart solution for automation. For applications that don’t demand a rocket launcher, Finder’s OPTA provides the balance: enough intelligence to handle modern automation, without the excess baggage.

  • | | |

    Beckhoff: Upscaling a 5-Axis CNC Machine

    It’s not just the watchmaking industry that needs compact and dynamic machine tools like the Micro5 from Chiron – in medical technology and mold making, components need to be machined just as precisely and quickly. The workpieces, however, are much larger. The machine builder has therefore scaled up its concept based on PC-based control from Beckhoff for components with an edge length of up to 120 mm. “Market analyses and discussions have shown that there is indeed a need for a highly dynamic 5-axis CNC machine with a larger milling center than the successful Micro5 series offers for components with an edge length of up to 50 mm,” says Matthias Rapp, Vice President Global Marketing at Chiron Group SE in Tuttlingen. Therefore, Chiron decided to develop the Micro5 XL building on the existing machine

  • | | |

    Scaling the Smart Manufacturing Mountain

    Embracing new technology in manufacturing is much like ascending a mountain—it requires strategy, pacing, and the right gear. Rushing ahead without proper support can strain your systems and your people, but with thoughtful planning and timely technology selection, the climb becomes manageable and rewarding. There are many paths to digital excellence. Integrating new technologies can significantly boost productivity and efficiency, but even the smoothest rollouts can come with hurdles. In Rockwell’s decades of experience working with customers, they have learned the importance of taking a measured approach to change to avoid unnecessary disruption. Here, they will lay out one way to approach digital transformation.

  • | | | | | | | | | | | |

    Why Stop at Efficiency? Build EtherCAT Networks for Maximum Reliability

    In the race toward smarter, more automated industrial operations, every microsecond counts. In response to rising demands for higher precision, speed, and synchronization across industries like robotics, packaging, and semiconductors, EtherCAT has become the standard for high-performance motion control. Its unique “on-the-fly” processing principle delivers deterministic, high-speed communication that traditional industrial Ethernet protocols simply cannot deliver. But you probably know all of this already. These benefits are likely the reason you may have been using EtherCAT for your critical applications to begin with. But as industrial systems become more complex, a hidden vulnerability in the most common network topology could be threatening your operations.

  • | | | | | | | | | | | |

    How OMRON’s Industrial Control Panel Products Support Scalable, Modular Machines 

    OMRON has been manufacturing industrial control panel products for more than 80 years. Their entire portfolio is designed to help panel builders, machine builders, and end users reduce costs while saving time and space. This article discusses how OMRON’s industrial control panel products support scalable, modular machines with a smaller footprint, and highlights some of their electromechanical and solid-state relays that are prime examples of products that give builders more value. Increasingly, panel builders and machine builders are seeking smaller control panel products that maximize limited panel space and can accommodate a wide range of devices for future expansion. OMRON’s Value Design for Panel products represent an evolution of control panel design and manufacturing by focusing on uniform dimensions, Push-In Play technology, and maximized functionality to help their customers gain a competitive edge.

  • | |

    Proax: IPD Connectors – The Future of Tool-Free Power Distribution

    When it comes to reliable, efficient power distribution in challenging industrial environments, IPD (Installation Power Distribution) connectors represent a revolutionary leap forward in connectivity technology. At Proax, they understand that modern industrial installations demand solutions that combine speed, reliability, and versatility – exactly what IPD connectors deliver. As part of their comprehensive connectors portfolio, IPD systems stand out for their innovative design and practical benefits.

  • | | | |

    ABB: Digital & AI – Accelerating Industry

    ABB has been part of digital industrial innovation ever since the first computerized control systems were introduced back in the 1950s. Today, their solutions enhance efficiency, safety, quality, and reliability of industrial operations, helping customers unlock data-driven insights to make smarter decisions. Of all digital innovations, AI holds perhaps the most potential to create new value through contextualization of industrial data. It is truly transformative, particularly with the rapid advancements in Generative AI (GenAI) seen in recent years. The power of digital and AI makes its adoption a strategic priority for industry. But this adoption must work alongside customers’ existing infrastructure and minimize the risk of disruption. At ABB, their deep industry knowledge is combined with innovation expertise to deliver practical, scalable solutions such as ABB Genix Industrial IoT and AI Suite. Their digital portfolio empowers ABB’s customers to get more from their existing infrastructure, while accelerating innovation. It’s an exciting time: with digital and AI, they are just getting started. Read on to discover how ABB is helping their customers to turn potential into performance.

  • | | | |

    ATS: The Laser Welding Process – From Concept to Production

    In the ever-evolving manufacturing landscape, laser welding has emerged as a transformative technology, revolutionizing how industries approach precision and efficiency. By seamlessly fusing materials with pinpoint accuracy, it creates strong and visually flawless bonds that enhance production capabilities. Understanding how laser welding processes are developed and implemented helps determine if this innovative approach is right for your next manufacturing project. Laser welding has evolved significantly, expanding from simple applications to complex, high-precision tasks across industries. Advances like high-power fiber lasers enable deeper, faster, and more precise welds. Real-time monitoring and adaptive control systems enhance reliability, even in challenging conditions. Emerging technologies will shape the future of laser welding. Hybrid techniques combining laser welding with other methods can improve quality and efficiency. Artificial intelligence and machine learning will optimize parameters and predict defects, enhancing reliability. Newer laser technologies, like ring/core lasers, will broaden the range of weldable materials, unlocking new opportunities in various manufacturing spaces. As these advancements continue, laser welding will become increasingly integral to modern manufacturing, offering enhanced capabilities and greater flexibility.

  • | |

    How Voltage Presence Indicators Transform Industrial Electrical Safety

    Electrical safety in industrial environments requires more than basic protocols—it demands reliable systems that provide clear visual confirmation of electrical status. The REMLIVE RL-24i series from Fortress Safety addresses this critical need by offering technicians immediate, accurate information about electrical systems before maintenance begins. The REMLIVE RL-24i Isolator Check provides the user with a positive check when isolating plant. It provides electrical isolation between the DIN rail unit and the door mounted display unit. This fundamental safety function eliminates dangerous assumptions about electrical status during maintenance procedures. The door unit is designed to fit through the front of a control panel or switch so the user can see a live/isolation status. The super bright REMLIVE RL-24i display provides the user with a quick and easy method of proof of isolation in lock out / tag out procedures.

  • | |

    Electronics Manufacturing Meets Enhanced Safety & Efficiency

    In electronics manufacturing, every minute counts. PT-Elektrik understands this very well. That’s why they have decided to optimize their quality assurance processes with advanced robotics and innovative software solutions to meet increasing demands. The SICK safety system sBot Speed URCap is making their processes not only more efficient, but also safer. PT-Elektrik, a recognized name in automation and quality assurance, utilizes a universal robot e-series (also known as a URe robot) to set new standards in its quality assurance process for printed circuit boards (PCBs). Because the robot’s working area is near to other test stations used by people, the area around the robot needed to be safeguarded. The solution had to be simple, and quick to implement.

  • | |

    ABB Invests in Made in Canada with Installation Products that Electrify Our World 

    ABB recently announced their plan to build a new R&D and manufacturing facility in Canada. It will combine their existing facilities in Iberville and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu to increase production capacity and support future growth in key sectors across Canada like utilities, energy, and infrastructure. Michael Shenouda, Canada Region Leader – General Manager, Installation Products, answers my questions about the new facility. Shenouda started at ABB for a summer job, now, 30 years later, he plays a leading role in the company. “Made in Canada” is something that ABB strives for. It is something they promote. And they have been doing this for decades. “It is something we are proud of,” Shenouda says. “I think the pandemic has proved that having robust supply chains close to where customers’ needs are is very important. We source all our steel locally; within 500 kilometers of the factories we operate. Our aluminum is mostly Canadian as well. We are very proud to have 600 employees in both our Iberville and Saint-Jean facilities.”  

  • | | |

    RoboDK Launches RoboDK Academy to Bridge the Global Robotics Skills Gap

    RoboDK has announced the launch of RoboDK Academy: a free, self-paced online training platform designed to make industrial robot programming skills more accessible than ever. The platform combines hands-on projects, step-by-step tutorials, and video walkthroughs to teach programming skills through simulation and offline programming, from beginner to advanced levels. The Academy serves engineers, automation professionals, students, and educators seeking to build robotics knowledge. As automation adoption has increased globally, industries are facing a new challenge: a shortage of skilled robot programmers. Gone are the days when robot programming skills were only required by large automotive manufacturers and specialist robot integrators. With robot use spreading to sectors like logistics, healthcare, and Small-to-Medium Enterprises, a lack of robot programmers is now becoming a bottleneck for many companies. Robot orders in the food and consumer goods industries surged by 65% in 2024.