June 28, 2010
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Thanks to an investment by the Governments of Canada and Manitoba, the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME), Manitoba Division will launch the Virtual Centre of Manufacturing Excellence to help Manitoba companies increase their competitiveness by integrating “lean” manufacturing principles and other advanced processes into operations.
“By investing in a Virtual Centre of Excellence we are helping ensure that Manitoba’s manufacturers can grow and create jobs by improving their productivity and competitiveness,” said the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification.
“The Selinger government supports this training centre, which will promote proven best practices such as lean manufacturing,” said Peter Bjornson, Manitoba’s Minister of Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade. “Companies are continually looking for new ways to increase productivity and improve competitiveness in the global economy and this initiative will train employees with a strong understanding of high-performance skills for the workforce of tomorrow.”
The Governments of Canada and Manitoba are investing a total of $4.2 million toward this project under the Canada-Manitoba Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA).
This funding will enable the CME, Manitoba Division, to launch the Virtual Centre of Manufacturing Excellence Program, which will target manufacturing companies to incorporate lean practices. By sharing best practices in manufacturing and creating networks linking larger and smaller companies within Manitoba’s supply chain, the centre will help the industry achieve greater success in the global marketplace.
“The Centre of Excellence program is visionary and a natural extension of the highly successful Advanced Manufacturing Initiative led by CME,” said Ron Kosklowsky, Vice- President, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters – Manitoba Division. “The new program will allow CME to provide trade and technology programming in addition to lean and human resource support to manufacturers, especially small and mid-sized companies. As a result, Manitoba companies will be networked and able to best access relevant and practical resources needed to compete at a global level.”
Under WEPA, Canada and Manitoba are contributing $25 million each, over four years, to strengthen economic activity and improve the quality of life in western Canadian communities.
Media inquiries may be directed to:
Lloyd Suchet
Office of the Minister
Western Economic Diversification
Telephone: (613) 957-7855
lloyd.suchet@wd-deo.gc.ca
Joe Czech
Communications Coordinator
Communication Services Manitoba
Telephone: (204) 945-6778
http://www.gov.mb.ca/
Chantal Lambert
Communications Coordinator
Canada-Manitoba Economic Partnership Agreement
Telephone: (204) 945-8778
http://www.epa.gov.mb.ca/
WD Toll-Free Number:1-888-338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-877-303-3388
WD Website: www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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