For Release
May 26, 2006
Regina, Saskatchewan — The Canadian Manufacturers
and Exporters (CME) will receive $87,200 from the governments of
Canada and Saskatchewan for Value Stream Mapping and Lean Manufacturing
training. The training will increase the productivity and efficiency
of Saskatchewan companies and help them remain competitive in the
global economy.
The Honourable Carol Skelton, Minister of National Revenue and
Minister of Western Economic Diversification, and the Honourable
Eric Cline, Minister of Saskatchewan Industry and Resources, made
the announcement today, prior to Saskatchewan’s first ever
Manufacturing Week May 29 – June 2. The funding for this $142,808
project is cost shared under the Canada-Saskatchewan Western Economic
Partnership Agreement (WEPA). The Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters
group (CME) will provide the rest of the funding.
“To maintain the thriving western economy, businesses must
reduce inefficiencies in their operations,” said Minister
Skelton. “This project will boost high performance manufacturing
that businesses need to succeed in Canada and in global markets.”
“In the last two years, Saskatchewan manufacturers have achieved
the first and second highest growth rate among provinces,”
Saskatchewan Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline said. “This
industry is primed to keep growing and will use this valuable training
to sharpen its competitive edge.”
This project builds on the achievements of previous Value Stream
Management and Lean Manufacturing training funded through WEPA in
2004. Sixteen Saskatchewan companies will learn to use the Value
Stream Mapping to visually identify where inefficiencies occur within
their organizations. By using Lean Manufacturing practices, companies
can remove unnecessary waste or activities from their operations
to make them more efficient and profitable.
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters work to improve the competitiveness
of Canadian industry and to expand export business.
The governments of Canada and Saskatchewan signed the Canada-Saskatchewan
Western Economic Partnership Agreement in September 2003. Each party
committed $25 million over the next four years to support economic
development initiatives. These two projects fit WEPA’s objectives
to help create competitive and sustainable communities, and support
value-added and diversification activities in Saskatchewan.
For additional information, contact:
Joanne Mysak
Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Saskatoon, SK
Tel: (306) 975-5942
Fiona MacLeod
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of National
Revenue and Minister of Western
Economic Diversification Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
Tel: (613) 995-2960
Bob Ellis
Director, Public Affairs
Saskatchewan Industry and Resources
Regina, Saskatchewan
(306) 787-8277
www.ir.gov.sk.ca
Brian McCready
Vice President, Saskatchewan and Alberta
Alliance of Manufacturers & Exporters Canada
(780) 426-1509
