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Blog Post
Dear BWA members and partners: We would like to take the time to thank all of you for your ongoing engagement and support of the Bluewater Wood Alliance (BWA) Cluster! This past year had some important successes and milestones! Some quick data for 2019: 25 new member companies! 18 BWA cluster events this year! 410 BWA members attended our events this year! We had a very successful networking event at the Wood Machinery Show (WMS), which we will be expanding at the 2021 show. The value of the cluster model is that it is “industry-led,” meaning that our members dictate...
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Blog Post
December 11th, 2019 at EDC Export Growth Hub in Kitchener, Canada’s only business hub, BWA members came together to learn about how lean is transforming companies into competitive forces to be reckoned within the market place. As more and more BWA members continue their lean journey, their competitive strength continues to grow. The day began with BWA key lean trainer Brad Cairns teaching how to think about the concepts of lean and how it can apply to a vast spectrum of applications in manufacturing – from custom shops to high volume production. The training carried on discussing the history of...
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Blog Post
December 11th, 2019 at EDC Export Growth Hub in Kitchener, Canada’s only business hub, BWA members came together to learn about how lean is transforming companies into competitive forces to be reckoned within the market place. As more and more BWA members continue their lean journey, their competitive strength continues to grow. The day began with BWA key lean trainer Brad Cairns teaching how to think about the concepts of lean and how it can apply to a vast spectrum of applications in manufacturing – from custom shops to high volume production. The training carried on discussing the history of...
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Blog Post
On the afternoon of December 9th, 2019, BWA members arrived at the Toyota Cambridge Plant to attend the half-day TPS Tour and Lecture. Toyota began manufacturing automobiles in 1933 and has grown into the 2nd largest automotive manufacturer in the world. They have been tweaking their manufacturing processes for generations, and frankly, it shows. It is a remarkable show. On the guided tour, very little distracts from the production process, no litter, no dust in the air, and everyone is busy working. Machines are everywhere. Robotic arms perform precision tasks in perfect harmony. Enormous automated presses stamp out car parts...
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Blog Post
Hello Everyone, Recent transitions in Ottawa under the forestry innovation file have indicated there may be some funding program announcements early in the new year. The BWA wants to be ready to submit a proposal for a pilot project for our members for digital automation adoption (3.0) and Industry 4.0 connectivity projects. Please respond to this email if you may be planning capital investments after April 1, 2020, in digital automation adoption (3.0) and software development for 4.0 connectivity of your business processes. A first effort will probably have 6-10 member companies participating. The idea is to have a successful project...
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Blog Post
On November 21st, members of the Bluewater Wood Alliance attended the Plant Tour Focus Group at Windmill Cabinets located in Chatham, Ontario. The 40,000 sq. ft. facility opened its doors to the BWA and focused the group challenge around its product flow and the layout of the facility. “We are looking for opportunities for continuous improvement, this is a time we welcome interaction with our employees during this tour. Please feel free to ask them questions about their workspaces” Will Holsappel of...
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Blog Post
On November 18th, members of the Bluewater Wood Alliance attended the Cambridge Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC) tour, which included a 2-hour seminar on the world-renowned Toyota Production System (TPS). Attendees started with an in-depth guided tour of both the North and South Plant to see all aspects of production from stamping to final roll off the line. “Look at how clean that is,” a BWA member remarked, “you could eat off the floor!” he continued. Post-tour, the group gathered to learn about the official TPS with videos and explanations on how Toyota thinks about principles that are the bedrock...
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Blog Post
On November 18th, members of the Bluewater Wood Alliance attended the Cambridge Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC) tour, which included a 2-hour seminar on the world-renowned Toyota Production System (TPS). Attendees started with an in-depth guided tour of both the North and South Plant to see all aspects of production from stamping to final roll off the line. “Look at how clean that is,” a BWA member remarked, “you could eat off the floor!” he continued. Post-tour, the group gathered to learn about the official TPS with videos and explanations on how Toyota thinks about principles that are the bedrock...
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Blog Post
Thursday, October 9th, 2019 the BWA facilitated a Plant Tour Focus Group of 35,000 sq. Ft Doma Doors Ltd. located in Mississauga. Plant Tour Focus Groups strive to spur innovation among wood companies by allowing the host company to showcase what they do well as a manufacturer as well as address the current challenge they are facing they want to improve. Doma Doors Mfg.’s focus was on finding new ways to manage the vast quantity of machinery used to produce the volume of productions they run, as well as managing the software for operations. Prior to the tour, the group...
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