PerspectiveTM Windsor-Essex, | 2018

WINDSOR-ESSEX INTERNATIONAL HUB FOR AUTOMATION AND INNOVATION

Automation at Mucci Farms Locate in Windsor-Essex, A diversified & technology-driven delivers premium products Ontario, Canada manufacturer – Reko Int’l

Welcome to Windsor-Essex or years, Windsor and Essex As well as advanced manufacturing, investment in 2017 by Site Selection County business leaders and the regional economy encompasses a Magazine is another reason to invest in Fresidents have quietly accepted variety of vibrant sectors, including Windsor-Essex. that the place they call home is Canada’s agri-business, life sciences, transportation, As Canada’s fourth most culturally best-kept secret. and logistics and warehousing as well diverse region where 101 distinct With the future beckoning, it’s time to as a burgeoning high-tech hub that has languages are spoken, we are a let the rest of the world in on our secret. drawn the attention of Silicon Valley. welcoming community, offering Built on manufacturing, but driven by Both Windsor and its neighbouring newcomers the opportunity to succeed. innovation, Windsor-Essex is not only municipalities of LaSalle, Tecumseh, Housing costs are among the most North America’s industrial powerhouse, Lakeshore, Amherstburg, Essex, Kingsville, affordable in the country and our but has emerged as an international hub Leamington and Pelee Island are ideally climate is the most temperate. for automation. positioned to offer unparalleled economic Our robust economy, world-class An indomitable entrepreneurial spirit Parts suppliers and mold makers and lifestyle opportunities. medical facilities, top-notch educational has guided Windsor-Essex through are at the forefront of developing and About $500 million in international institutions as well as easy access to the economic highs and lows. We’ve applying state-of-the-art technologies trade crosses the Windsor-Detroit border cultural amenities on both sides of the survived the past and are ready to shape that sharpen their competitive edge in a daily, all headed to consumer-rich border make Windsor-Essex an ideal the future. global marketplace where disruption is markets, many within a day’s drive. location for entrepreneurs and families. Our secret is out. the norm. Our region’s proximity to Home to the largest machine, tool, the U.S. allows local companies, die and mold hub in North America, municipalities and post-secondary ABOUT THE COVER: Award winning Chrysler Pacifica, FCA Windsor Assembly Plant Windsor-Essex boasts four of the top 10 educational institutions to forge cross- PerspectiveTM PerspectiveTM Windsor-Essex was produced mold makers in the hemisphere. border research partnerships such as 1464 Cornwall Rd, Suite 5, Independent of the Municipalities in the Windsor- At the heart of this dynamic industry autonomous vehicle technologies and Oakville, ON L6J 7W5 Essex Region. Contents are copyrighted and may is a highly-skilled workforce of developing a smart border. 1-866-779-7712 [email protected] perspective.ca not be reproduced without the written consent Publisher, CeO Steve Montague of Perspective Marketing Inc. The publisher is not designers, engineers and technicians The region’s designation as a liable for any views expressed in the articles and ViCe-PresiDeNT Ed Martin with expertise in robotics, light-weight Foreign Trade Zone by the federal opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the materials, alternative fuels, 3D printing government as well as one of the Marketing Coordinator Sabrina Woods publisher or the Municipalities in Windsor-Essex and design of production lines. top 10 best locations in Canada for Intern Sofia Vasconcelos Region. Have No Fear of the ER because the Clinic Seeker App is Here Since its launch in January, 2017, Plans are underway to expand Clinic Another tool for finding the most appropriate health care Clinic Seeker has seen daily increases in Seeker throughout Canada as well as with the shortest wait time. traffic, primarily from women. include information on mental health “Hockey moms use it to find clinics facilities and make the app available in dearth of high-tech experience 140,000 patients in 2014. That translates when they travel to tournaments,” different languages. didn’t prevent Lisa Jacobs from into 77 patients a day or 28,000 patients said Jacobs, adding women make 92 “My objective is to help people.” Adeveloping an app that links a year, so why not help people get to the per cent of health-care decisions in a patients to the closest health-care right place at the right time.” family. facilities with the shortest wait times. The idea for Clinic Seeker struck User feedback has been positive. “This whole entrepreneurial journey Jacobs three years ago after fracturing “We’ve had testimonials from people has been the best experience of my life,” her thumb during a visit to Toronto. “I who went to one clinic and were told said Jacobs, a Windsor native with a17- didn’t know where to find a clinic with they’d be waiting at least an hour. Then year career in health care. “There was an X-Ray department, so I ended up in they went on the app and found another always someone to talk to for answers, a hospital emergency room and waiting clinic down the street with a much and if they didn’t have it, they’d find for hours.” shorter wait time.” someone who did.” After searching the Internet, Jacobs Clinic Seeker has garnered accolades, Launched last year, Clinic Seeker, discovered there was no online tool including top prize at last year’s Tech which can be downloaded for free on listing medical clinics and their wait Week YQG Digital Challenge, a local Android and iOS devices, helps non- times. competition for innovative digital critical care patients in Ontario find a A network of helping hands, products. It also has attracted interest clinic with the appropriate services and including the Small Business Centre and from health care organizations in the shortest wait times using crowd-sourced WEtech Alliance, guided Jacobs on her U.S. data. entrepreneurial journey. Jacobs stressed she is not discouraging “Statistics show 20 per cent of patients “I cannot say enough good things the use of emergency rooms; she wants who go to an ER don’t need to be about this community,” she said. “They to offer another tool for finding the there,” said Jacobs. “Windsor, alone, saw make their resources available to you.” most appropriate health care. Lisa Jacobs, Owner, Clinic Seeker PerspectiveTM 4

PMS286 PMS432

STEM Education Opens Doors to Wide Variety of Employment Opportunities

alk to students about the the rigors of postsecondary courses,” importance of maintaining their says Darryl Danelon, Chair, Faculty of Tscience, technology, engineering Engineering Technologies. “It allows and math (STEM) through high them to hit the ground running, giving school and you might see some eyes them more opportunities to get involved glaze over. It’s not because they don’t in things like applied research projects”. understand the general concepts. It’s These skills are also important because sometimes students find it a for employers in industries such as challenge to connect the dots between information and engineering technology, these important subjects and how they manufacturing, sustainable energy, relate to future career opportunities. aerospace, pharmaceutical, and health It’s a further stretch to understand that care to name a few. STEM subjects can also build critical Larry Koscielski, Vice President of thinking, problem solving, innovation Process & Technology Development and entrepreneurship skills. for CenterLine (Windsor) agrees that A study conducted by Let’s Talk a focus on STEM subjects throughout Science and AMGEN Canada in 2015, high school and postsecondary shed considerable light on student education will build the types of and parental attitudes towards STEM skills employer’s value. “One way or subjects. One of the numerous findings another we all make a living by solving in the report shows that “parents problems for our customers. Critical Computer Networking programs by the project in manufacturing and industrial recognize the importance of a STEM thinking and problem solving skills in Cisco Network Academy. automation with a focus on “Industry education – 75% say that most jobs will a collaborative environment helps us Within the past 18 months the College 4.0”. Dr. Peter Wawrow, the College lead need at least basic math and science. 69% build on each other’s ideas to get to the has significantly expanded its applied for applied research says these projects of parents surveyed believe that a STEM best solution”. research undertakings, providing students will focus on the communication education prepares students to become St. Clair College combines a with a chance to work with industry between people and technology. critical thinkers, and 76% say it helps career-relevant higher education with partners to improve business processes “Students will work on real-time them be innovators and entrepreneurs.* outstanding facilities where learning and products. Students in programs processes and how to improve efficiencies Students who maintain STEM labs reflect real-world technology such as CAD/CAM, Robotics, and for our industry partners. I like to refer to subjects will find they have a broader environments. The Cisco Network Biomedical Engineering Technology are it as the internet of things applied to the range of postsecondary options to Academy certified computer labs that working with companies who specialize manufacturing technology environment”. choose from. When this is combined support Computer Networking, Internet in metal cutting, mould making, tool and For more information about St. Clair with an advanced diploma from St. Applications & Web Development and die, and medical startups. College and the excellence in higher Clair College, career opportunities after Mobile Applications, provide students The College recently received a education found in its advanced diploma graduation are greatly enhanced. with state-of-the-art technology on grant to run a two year applied research programs visit www.stclaircollege.ca. “Students who come to St. Clair which to practice their skills. Recently, with Grade 12 Math and their sciences St. Clair College was ranked #1 in * Spotlight on Science Learning; Exploring Parental Influence: Amgen Canada & Let’s Talk Science will find they are better prepared for Canada for females enrolled in the Survey 2015 PerspectiveTM 5

development of new technologies, says Anzolin. “Windsor-Essex is the best place to do it,” she says. “We have the busiest PMS286 PMS432 border crossing in all of Canada and one of the busiest in the world. So, we can develop technology here to promote the movement of goods, people and services … We can be leaders in terms of developing new technologies that promote the borders to be more seamless.” And, word is getting out. “We’re in discussions with a variety of companies outside of this area to look at coming here and landing a space here because they see us as being the place to do the work towards developing automation for the border.” Canada/U.S. Border Makes Logistics IBLS is looking to support research that will transform the Windsor- Detroit crossing into a smarter border, & Innovation Cluster a Natural Fit she says. “There’s a lot of work being done on autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence. Everything is integrated.” Institute for Border Logistics competitive advantage, which is the “It’s kind of a soft landing so that if In the not-too-distant future, border,” says Anzolin. you’re not ready to establish bricks and technology will allow a customs officer and Security (IBLS) the only In 2017, this one-of-a-kind mortar you can use this space.” to know who is coming and what’s facility of its kind in Canada institute became a department A proposal awaiting funding would coming before the vehicle arrives at the of the Windsor-Essex Economic establish a virtual reality lab for small crossing, Anzolin says. usan Anzolin is surrounded by Development Corporation – a move business to access equipment they “So it’s really about anticipating the vivid reminders of Windsor and that leverages the institute’s economic wouldn’t normally have, Anzolin adds. future and making sure we’re ready SEssex County’s areas of strengths: expertise, networks and tools. Its The institute also is forging to capture those opportunities. We manufacturing, transportation and mandate: to help entrepreneurs and partnerships, working closely with St. have to be ready,” she says. “What a logistics, moving goods, people and small- and medium-sized enterprises Clair College, the great opportunity; the Gordie Howe services across North America. (SMEs) to work with academia, as well as local and cross-border business International Bridge is being built, we The executive director of the businesses, economic development groups, including the Council of the have a new span for the Ambassador Institute for Border Logistics associations and governments to solve Great Lakes Region. Bridge coming. So, now’s the time to and Security (IBLS) points to problems, promote opportunities The region’s growing automation and really integrate those technologies, neighbouring buildings that can be and facilitate trade and logistics emerging technologies cluster as well as those processes, those systems into the seen from the front office window. efficiently, safely and securely across its border location are conducive to the infrastructure before they get built.” “You can see across the street international borders. there’s the FedEx building, there’s an “Working with the Cross-Border intermodal cargo building behind the Institute, which does a lot of research institute,” says Anzolin. And slightly in this area, the role is to push out farther afield, a plane is landing along the research, and support the new a runway at the Windsor International technology within the business Airport. community that bolsters border logistics Established in 2013 as part of a and security,” says Anzolin. $20 million federal government “I think the building is quite investment, the 10,000-square-foot spectacular; it’s a great asset to the institute, constructed in early 2016, is community.” unique – the only facility of its kind The institute offers on-site in Canada. resources for local businesses and “IBLS, along with the University their innovations. For example, of Windsor’s Cross-Border Institute, there’s “a truck bay, which gives small was designed to create a cluster of businesses access to equipment as well logistics and innovation in Windsor- as providing them with office space,” Essex, building on the strengths of our she says. PerspectiveTM 6 Bridging the future through PMS286 PMS432 partnership ENWIN Proud To Support Commerce Between Nations hat does it take for a local above ground and underground electricity distribution cables, transformers and switches. It Wcompany to help build the is the utility’s job to ensure that the economic futures of two nations and design is adequate to meet anticipated bridge a gap between businesses — on a community needs for the next 40 years. global scale? But it is far more complicated than that. Building a bridge between nations takes years of planning, dozens of It takes partnership. partners, thousands of meetings and daily adjustments to accommodate Just ask Tony Cinelli, Hydro the challenges of a project involving Engineering Technologist at ENWIN multiple utilities, government agencies Utilities Ltd., in Windsor, Ontario. Tony and businesses. is part of the ENWIN team responsible It means new roads and highways, for coordinating the electrical access plazas, utility infrastructure and infrastructure installation to support a then, of course, the bridge itself. new Canadian gateway to the USA. On the electricity front alone, As a long-time member of the it means moving or building planning and implementation team underground and overhead building a six-lane, 2.5 km bridge from infrastructure: transformers, switching Windsor to Detroit, he has witnessed, and metering units, streetlights, firsthand, what it takes. manholes and many, many kilometres Along with dozens of employees in of cable. multiple departments across ENWIN, Tony is working with numerous external partners to build the capacity It takes teamwork. needed to support the local community — and the new international access It takes teamwork and collaboration point — well into the future. — numerous needs, feasibility and Over the past several years, the environmental studies, rigorous ENWIN team has worked with approvals processes and dedication at all the Ministry of Transportation and levels — both within each participating Infrastructure Ontario to extend Hwy company and across national borders. 401 and Hwy 3 to accommodate future Partnership has been vital to traffic flow. They have also helped ENWIN’s work on the project, with to build the Rt. Hon. weekly planning talks between the Parkway — an 11km corridor that will participants beginning more than a year connect the existing 401 Highway to before the first shovel hit the ground. the Canadian port of entry at the new To ensure that ENWIN continues Gordie Howe International Bridge. to consider the needs of all, the Today, ENWIN is working with engineering team still meets every Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority two weeks with employees from (WDBA) — a Canadian Crown WDBA, the City of Windsor, corporation — to install the electrical Hydro One, federal and provincial infrastructure for the Canadian plaza government agencies, other utility that will eventually connect these companies, private businesses, highways with the new bridge. contractors, engineering companies and In all these projects ENWIN has environmental groups. been called upon to remove, replace or “Collaboration is the key,” Tony Electrical infrastructure is already in place under the foundation grading for the new crossing. build electrical infrastructure, including explains. “There is no single part of the PerspectiveTM 7

ENWIN’s work related to the project has included electrical infrastructure builds and PMS286 PMS432 relocations related to:

The Rt. Hon. Herb Gray Parkway Project (July 2010 – September 2016) • 20.4 kilometres of underground primary cable (complete)

Gordie Howe International Bridge Project (March 2013 – Ongoing) • Phase I: Installation of Temporary The Rt. Hon. Herb Gray Parkway and Permanent Overhead Pole eliminated 17 stop light intersections and will connect the 401 to the Gordie Howe Line Relocations: 300 meters International Bridge once complete. of underground primary cable project that belongs to ENWIN alone. (complete) Moving a single pole is a monumental undertaking when everything we do • Phase II: Temporary and affects our partners’ work.” Permanent Relocation of the Nick Liburdi, Electrical Engineer for WDBA, agrees. It is his job to manage Overhead Infrastructure: 9.1 the electrical design for the ports of kilometres of underground entry in Canada and the US, and for the primary cable (underway) bridge itself. Nick Liburdi (left), Electrical Engineer, Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority We are constructing a legacy reviews the completed project’s plans with Tony Cinelli (right), We appreciate partners for our community Hydro Engineering Technologist, ENWIN Utilities Ltd. like ENWIN. “ENWIN is privileged to be part of trade and encourage growth in “We appreciate partners like ENWIN, future-building on a very significant important sectors, including automobile I will be proud that I was a who understand the complexity of this scale,” she said. “We are constructing a manufacturing. Completion of the part of it. undertaking and support our needs,” he legacy for our community and at the bridge will maintain Windsor’s bragging said. “It has been a great partnership.” same time supporting a bilateral trading right as the largest commercial trading Tony says that every time he drives Tony speaks frequently with Nick and connection that is vital to the future of access point on the Canada-US the Rt. Hon. Herb Gray Parkway, he is others involved in the project, to make our countries.” border, and one of the largest in North proud to remember that his company sure ENWIN’s plans coordinate with Mayor Drew Dilkens agrees. America. helped to create that piece of the those of its partners. “To say this is an important event “The Gordie Howe International project. He is proud to be a partner in one at a local level would be a distinct Bridge is historic. It will literally Years from now, when he crosses of the most significant infrastructure understatement,” he commented. change the landscape of Windsor and the port of entry, he expects he projects in North American history “Along with obvious benefits, such as Detroit,” concludes André Juneau, the will still feel the same way. “I will — proud of his role in creating a new reduced commercial traffic on our city Interim Chief Executive Officer of be proud that I was a part of it,” connection between Canada and the streets and economic opportunities Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority. he concluded. “We helped to tie United States — and proud of the for Windsor and Detroit, the project “It is a bridge to our future and will two countries together, and that’s a project’s potential to contribute to the will continue Windsor’s legacy as a encourage new investment between powerful thing.” global exchange of ideas, goods and key point of entry for goods traded Canada and the United States and help So, that’s what it means to build commerce. between our nations.” to maintain and create thousands of a bridge between two nations. It’s a The sentiment is echoed by ENWIN The continuation of Windsor’s legacy jobs and opportunities on both sides of lasting legacy, built on the power of President and CEO, Helga Reidel. will ultimately enhance international the border.” partnership. PerspectiveTM 8

“We do a good job of analyzing CenterLine (Windsor) has been simplistic, logical sequential systems,” setting industry standards since the he added. “So the next evolution is company was established 61 years analyzing complex systems.” ago, said Phil Campbell, vice- PMS286 PMS432 Automation that sharpens a president of sales. manufacturer’s competitive edge has “We have 81 patents with more been at the core of Reko’s 40-year pending, and every year we raise the history, said CEO Diane Reko. bar,” said Campbell. “Many of our “When we take on a project we’re innovations are even adopted by our Windsor-Essex doing research and development to competitors.” become better whether it’s machining, The company designs and builds an International producing a tool or designing automation metal-joining and forming products, equipment for our customers.” Sensors manufactures automated machinery and the connectivity of the Internet and welding equipment for the Hub for Automation are enhancing the company’s ability to automotive, mass transit, aerospace provide remote operational maintenance and defence industries. It employs a & Emerging Technologies of customers’ machines, said Reko. full-time department of researchers “Sensors built into some of our and product developers whose sole Suresh Rama, Director, Engineering, automation equipment will send a message focus is innovation, said Campbell. Some of the finest Valiant TMS to our quality guy, telling him ‘this piece Tighter fuel economy standards of machinery needs to be adjusted just as well as the advent of electric and companies have started slightly.’ And we’re talking about less autonomous cars are influencing here, remain headquartered powertrain division of one of the Detroit than a centimetre in one direction or the changes in materials science and Three automakers. Cobots, which other.” Trouble-shooting can be done the composition of vehicles, he said. here & are creating can perform repetitive tasks, can work “remotely so the product comes out “We’ve made sure we understand products and innovations alongside humans in a safe manner, and perfect every time,” said Reko. “You don’t changes in materials science and will transform the nature of work, said have to stop the machine or check every kept up or are ahead of them. We’re for the world Fellows. part. That’s all been automated into the always thinking about the next step.” “Robots with vision systems can adapt controls and processing.” With more than 1,000 employees, he fourth industrial revolution themselves to different tasks, and will The Lakeshore company recently CenterLine has grown from a is under way, and Windsor and do more of the work that’s repetitive opened a new $5.5 million, two-man tool and die shop in 1957 TEssex County is leading the or dangerous,” she said. “That means 40,000-square foot manufacturing and into an international company, charge. workers are going to get accustomed innovation facility, boosting its footprint generating sales in Mexico, Brazil, With more than 300 companies to working with a robot, but they’re to 125,000 square feet. China, India and Germany. involved in the engineering, designing also going to focus on tasks requiring and production of cutting-edge intelligence and cognitive ability.” manufacturing systems across several At Brave Control, president Brent sectors, the automotive capital of Canada McPhail is positioning his company has become an international hub for to become a leader in sensor-based automation and emerging technologies. technology that enables manufacturers Companies like Brave Control to acquire and analyze data from every Solutions, CenterLine (Windsor) Ltd., human and mechanized facet of their Dieffenbacher North America, Radix operation. Inc., Reko International Group and “The big term you hear today is Valiant TMS are pioneering technologies Industry 4.0,” said McPhail, whose that are ushering manufacturers across company uses video game software to the globe into the digital age. build digital twins of machines for the “Part of our role is to be a disruptor,” auto industry. “It’s kind of funny because said Shelley Fellows, vice-president of we’ve been doing some of these things operations at Radix, which specializes since 1996. All we’re talking about is the in combining machine vision, advanced digitalization of our systems.” robotics and controls, assembly The gathering and analysis of data automation and custom software. “Our will help transform today’s plant into the customers typically are early adopters of factory of the future, he said. “Imagine technology. So, it’s our job to understand everything in the plant, every person, any new technology that’s bubbling up every movement of the individual, that will disrupt their industry.” every piece of a machinery were being Two years ago, Radix installed the first measured. What kind of efficiencies collaborative robot or “cobot” for the could you unlock?” Reko International Group technician assembling robotic automation PerspectiveTM 9

constantly provides feedback to the user delivered easy-to-teach collaborative from part to part to ensure quality and robots to our customers,” he said. “In troubleshoot production challenges. our Hemming division, we delivered “As our society moves to Industry 4.0, a high speed robotic hemming station PMS286 PMS432 we will move with it.” capable of 105 jobs per hour with Although in its infancy, Industry 4.0 multiple robots working together.” is already being embraced by Valiant “We are working closely with our TMS, a 59-year-old Windsor company customers to enable virtualization, which has expanded its global presence simulation, collaborative robots, under new ownership by a Chinese Industrial Internet of Things, artificial consortium, said Suresh Rama, Director intelligence, machine learning, all of Engineering and Innovation. resulting in the factory of the future, “The world is getting connected; which is self-diagnosing, self-maintaining the advent of Industrial Internet of and always available,” said Rama. Things (IIoT) is an important event In 2017, the automation and tooling Complete System for Composite Component Manufacturing at Dieffenbacher North America that industry has to get used to and supplier was purchased by Shanghai- adapt quickly as we march into based HCD Group, a move that provides “The courage to innovate,” is among benefits include the “large talent pool Industry 4.0,” said Rama. “At Valiant “many opportunities to expand our the attributes that have made the for employees, and close proximity to TMS we are not only educators of current operations here by opening new Dieffenbacher Group one of the world’s the U.S. and southwestern Ontario these technological advances, but we markets in automotive and aerospace, leading manufacturers of hydraulic technology corridor.” also showcase the value they bring for which is growing fast in China,” presses and complete plants for the wood The high density of companies operational excellence and productivity said Rama. Even before the Chinese and composite industries,” said Louis offering automation and advanced enhancement for our customers and purchase, Valiant TMS had a formidable Kaptur, Research and Development technologies for automotive, aerospace, ourselves.” Valiant TMS’s Windsor global footprint with 27 facilities in Engineer at Dieffenbacher North infrastructure, and other sectors “breeds operations are playing a leading role in 15 countries and more than 1,400 America. future success through collaboration implementing Industry 4.0, he added. employees. The Windsor operation, a subsidiary and healthy competition,” Kaptur said. “From our Automotive Powertrain “The next industrial revolution is a of the German parent, is ideally located Ongoing technical developments are Center of Excellence in Windsor, we big challenge for the industry as a whole, in the region’s growing high-tech opening up new opportunities, he have designed and built Industry 4.0 but we are more than ready here in cluster, Kaptur said, adding that key said. “Data acquisition in our systems, ready, material handling systems, and Windsor-Essex,” said Rama. Passion for Gaming Creates New Industry iDream Interactive’s goal: a lot of people here who are passionate were surprised we made a game, and had become one of Canada’s about gaming.” expected a larger studio.” His goal: to become one of the largest Convinced he was on the right path, largest online game online game developers in Canada, Duhaime turned down the San Francisco developers rivaling veteran players, such as Big Blue firm’s offer. Bubble and Digital Extremes. iDream has been prolific, publishing acob Duhaime turned his passion Duhaime started the company games, including, Slot Universe, which for computer games into the largest by creating interactive educational drew three million players. “At its peak we Jonline game developer in Windsor video games for Ontario’s Ministry of had 120,000 daily active users,” he said. “It Jacob Duhaime, Founder and CEO, and Essex County. Education through an arrangement with took the company in a different direction iDream Interactive Since launching iDream Interactive the University of Windsor, where he where we finally had the resources to Inc., in 2006 from his basement, Duhaime studied computer science. focus solely on publishing our own down there. They’ve got services like has seen his company double to 12 full- “From there, we moved to a Facebook games.” graphic design. So, if I need help I could time employees over the last eight months platform for our games and decided to Growing sales and staff prompted just walk down there.” with plans to add two more “as soon as focus more on the social media side of the Duhaime to move iDream from While Duhaime credited his staff possible.” business,” said Duhaime, who also took its downtown location into a new with iDream’s success, he pointed to the A pioneer of social app development, computer animation at St. Clair College. 3,000-square foot design studio in a benefits of entrepreneurship in Windsor Duhaime has led the creation and His first commercial product, Monster building purchased by The Accelerator, and Essex County. release of several Facebook and mobile Farm caught the attention of Facebook which offers co-working spaces and “Windsor-Essex has always been a applications that have reached a combined gaming giant Zynga, which offered to programs for start-ups. good investment,” he said. “We have all total of more than five million users. buy his company. “The bonus is The Accelerator just the right tools to succeed. We’ve got the “We’re creating a new industry in “They flew me out there; I thought moved downstairs,” he said. “It aligns with university, the border and an affordable Windsor,” said Duhaime, 36. “There are ‘this was crazy,’” recalled Duhaime. “They what we’re going to do, plus there’s talent lifestyle. There’s a lot of good vibrations.” PerspectiveTM 10

Tepe said level five autonomy would Dr. Novak said a good example is allow drivers to program in their taking an inexpensive vehicle with a destination and have the vehicle do all light door and engineering it to have an the navigating, but the computer power “authoritative thud when you close it.” PMS286 PMS432 doesn’t exist yet to make it feasible for “If the door sounds like that of an consumers. expensive car then people get the “The problem is running the impression this car must be of good algorithms, or the car’s brain, fast enough quality,” Novak said. to do these calculations in real time and He said the University of Windsor is the to interact with other vehicles,” Tepe said. best-equipped school in Canada for noise While the automotive industry is measurement with its anechoic chamber, looking to lightweight materials as an durability shaker, several microphone alternative to steel as a way to improve arrays that allows researchers to see and UWindsor fuel efficiency, lower-density materials measure the sound and binaural heads. can have limited formability. “The binaural heads look like a Researchers Daniel Green, an associate professor person’s head but have microphones in the Faculty of Engineering, said inside the ear canal,” Novak explained. innovative forming processes need to “The shape of our nose, chin, upper Creating be developed and optimized for the body and ear canal all affect how we hear production of automotive parts. sound and so when we evaluate sound Roadmap for “With high-speed forming, we can get it’s important to measure it against how a 100 per cent more formability than we person would perceive it.” can with conventional stamping,” he said. Ming Zheng is looking to Automotive Dr. Green recently received funding revolutionize a product that hasn’t towards modelling the deformation and changed much in the last 100 years. Advancement failure of sheet metal in high-strain rate Dr. Zheng’s Clean Combustion Engine forming. Lab has taken a conventional spark plug Professor Daniel Green displays a Just behind the Centre for and improved it by creating a multi-pole By Dylan Kristy, sheet metal specimen in the Mechanical Engineering for Innovation is the spark ignition. University of Windsor Testing Lab at the Ed Lumley Centre for University of Windsor’s Centre for “Currently, vehicles are designed with Engineering Innovation. The specimen Automotive Research and Education. gasoline engines operating with the best esearchers at the University was stretch-formed in a formability test. The Noise, Vibration and Harshness- possible gasoline,” Zheng said. of Windsor are making sure (KRISTIE PEARCE/UWindsor) Sound Quality Research Group “But as we move to ethanol or other Rthe Automotive Capital of focuses on automotive- and computer- alternative fuels, you will need a stronger, Canada remains in the driver’s seat as the “There will always be an opportunity related sound, with a focus on better and more effective ignition source.” industry travels ahead into alternative to make them lighter, more compact and psychoacoustics. Zheng said the potential is so great metal forming, vehicle efficiency and more efficient.” Colin Novak, a professor with the for the three-pole spark plug, that vehicle-to-vehicle communication. Kar’s lab, the Centre for Hybrid Faculty of Engineering, said his team “every major automotive manufacturer State-of-the-art laboratories in the Automotive Research and Green Energy often works with OEMs to hone the in the world is watching what we’re Faculty of Engineering work hand- (CHARGE), is examining the challenges sounds produced by automobiles. doing.” in-hand with Original Equipment that are created when engineers work Manufacturers (OEMs) to analyze and to make electric motors in consumer refine parts and materials to directly vehicles more compact and lighter to assist in building the vehicles of increase the driving range. tomorrow. Next door to CHARGE Labs is In the heart of the Ed Lumley Centre Kemal Tepe’s Wireless Communication for Engineering in Narayan Kar’s lab sits and Information Processing Lab, an electric motor from the Ford Motor where his team researches autonomous Company of Canada. driving through vehicle-to-vehicle A motor that has been scrutinized by communication, connected vehicles and researchers and engineers for countless network security. hours to get it to its current high level of “Right now, we have the technology efficiency. to have level three autonomy in vehicles And yet, the University of Windsor with lane change detection, blind spot engineering professor has set out to take detection and active cruise control,” Dr. that motor and make it even better. Tepe said. “Our work will never end, and this “But moving to level four or five will always be an open-ended problem,” autonomy requires a little more University of Windsor engineering professor Kemal Tepe is pictured in the Wireless said Dr. Kar. sophistication.” Communication and Information Processing Lab. (KRISTIE PEARCE/UWindsor) PerspectiveTM 11 Cavalier Tool is One of the Leaders in the Automation Hub o illustrate the impact of Cavailier Cavalier’s president, who travels the globe accelerated the mold-making process by Windsor-Essex companies are well Tool and Manufacturing Inc.’s seekingPMS286 new customersPMS432 as well as the at least 20 per cent. positioned for a future that will see Tdecade-long investment in latest technologies and processes. “Over the last 10 years, Cavalier’s automation technology advance at an the most advanced technologies, Tim “Our molds run four times faster and workforce has increased from 65 people accelerating pace, said Bendig. Galbraith reaches back to the cartoon last five times longer,” said Bendig. “We to 140, proof that the company’s bet on “This region has spent more than 75 shows of his childhood. sell ourselves as Tylenol. We do things automation has paid off with new job years creating a supply chain you won’t “We went from the Flintstones to the competitors can’t do. And we’re pain opportunities, Galbraith said. Maybe we find anywhere in North America, maybe Jetsons,” said Galbraith, sales manager at free.” lost the guys with no skills, who would even Asia,” he said. “Who’s the best at the Windsor mold and tool maker for Tier Last year, the 43-year-old company pound pieces of steel. But we’ve got more automation? I think there is a heck of a 1, 2 and 3 suppliers in the automotive, expanded its manufacturing footprint to opportunity than there ever has been, and big concentration here in Windsor and heavy truck, sport recreation and 66,000 square feet, with the opening of a there’ll be more coming. Cavalier Tool is Essex County. There’s some smart people agricultural sectors. $12 million, 22,000 square-foot, state-of- always recruiting for the best and highly in a small geographic region.” “Technology really is the key. You can’t the-art facility. skilled tradespeople within our industry. do what you did yesterday and expect to “We don’t have hammers and nail With a high employee focus and culture, be competitive tomorrow.” slammers anymore,” said Galbraith. “This our atmosphere is second to none!” Ten years ago, at the height of the Great is high-tech.” Cavalier is among the more than 200 Recession, Cavalier made the decision The new addition features $6 million companies that have made Windsor-Essex to invest in automation and new mold- in big-ticket equipment, including $1 a global centre in mold, tool and die making equipment -- a move that has million worth of walking cranes under a manufacturing, a sector that has weather led to double digit sales growth as well as 40-foot ceiling that can lift a 50-tonne successive economic storms by embracing increases in employment and plant space. hunk of steel mold and precision technology. It also has enabled Cavalier to best machinery that can cut a human hair 30 “We survived the 2008 recession; we competitors in lower-cost jurisdictions, times over. survived the high dollar,” said Galbraith. including Mexico and Asia. Cavalier’s custom machinery ‘is “Our industry survived by saying ‘what “China doesn’t build molds that run the best the world has to offer,” said kind of technology do we need to be High speed 5-axis detail machine for the in 13-second cycles,” said Brian Bendig, Bendig, adding that the new facility, has more competitive.’” mfg of complex injection mold

cadavers, explained Wydra. “Our phantoms Wydra started the company with Dr. the simulation phantoms can be mass are made from materials that mimic the Roman Maev, a renowned University of produced, said Wydra. “Now we can tell Body Parts properties and structure of human tissue, Windsor physicist and founding director doctors, ‘this phantom has this simulation and are compatible with medical imaging of the Institute for Diagnostic Imaging of disease, and they can do training with Being machines,” said Wydra, a biomedical Research. The company has patented this. engineer who holds a Masters degree in material used to make its phantoms, “That’s the future of our company.” physics from the University of Windsor. which means their composition can’t be The company also benefits from Fabricated for The phantoms are made from polymers, duplicated by competitors. Windsor’s border location and lower cost and used by researchers and teaching “We are unique in terms of of living, he said. “Windsor-Essex is quite hospitals for the development of and customization and the materials we have. reasonable in terms of property taxes and Educational training for equipment, such as CT scans, There is nothing else on the market as expenses, so the cost of buying or renting ultrasound and magnetic resonance sophisticated or with similar properties.” a facility is lower than in other Canadian imaging. The company also makes artificial True Phantom begins the production cities. Tools vessels and arteries that can pump artificial process with a digital design, sometimes “It takes five minutes to cross the border blood. converting an MRI image or CT image, to Detroit, where there are materials or drian Wydra sells “body parts.” True Phantom’s market consists of including exact pathological properties of tools that may not be available in Canada,” Fabricated heads, organs, skulls, universities, teaching hospitals as well as a specific organ, into a digital replica. The Wydra added. “That’s quite convenient.” Atorsos and limbs are the specialty research and development companies 3D models are converted to form using of True Phantom Solutions – a Windsor worldwide, including Canada, the U.S., 3D printers, then cast with the company’s company that produces replicas of every Europe, China and the Middle East. patented material. part of the human anatomy. Toronto’s Hospital For Sick Children Since its incorporation three years ago, “Here, we have Halloween decorations and the U.S.-based Cleveland Clinic are True Phantom’s revenue has doubled, and all year round,” quipped Wydra, True among its customers. Wydra expects that trend to continue Phantom’s chief technology officer. Hospitals use the phantoms to train with the introduction of new products: But these artificial parts aren’t designed medical residents on diagnostic imaging phantoms that can simulate disease and to frighten; they’re designed to save lives. devices, said Wydra. “By properly training medical procedures. Researchers need body parts for their doctors, we can save lives, not directly but Unlike customized products, which Adrian Wydra, Chief Technology Officer, projects, but many don’t want to touch indirectly.” meet specifications from customers, True Phantom Solutions PerspectiveTM 12 Businesses Born out of Desire

WindsorEssex Small ResourcesPMS286 forPMS432 budding Business Centre offers entrepreneurs: programs to support The Accelerator: is an entrepreneurial ecosystem with co- entrepreneurs. working spaces specifically designed to indsor and Essex County’s help accelerate the growth of start-ups rich ecosystem of resources and emerging businesses, featuring on- Wdesigned to support new site training and mentoring programs in businesses is nurturing a flourishing a truly collaborative environment. entrepreneurial spirit in the region, says https://www.downtownaccelerator.com/ Shannon Dyck, interim manager of the WindsorEssex Small Business Centre WEtech Alliance: One of eighteen a department of the WindsorEssex Regional Innovation Centres Economic Development Corporation. in Ontario, and funded by the “A decade ago entrepreneurs Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs. were born out of desperation, out of WEtech provides an extensive Hishaam Pahary, Managing Director, Cemento Inc. (manufacturer of cement decorative tiles), losing jobs and needing to put food roster of programs, advisory received a Starter Company Plus grant. on their table,” said Dyck. “Now, services and training to clients and we’re seeing businesses born out members in the technology and Workforce WindsorEssex: Their Hackforge: A non-profit of a desire; it’s a career decision to innovation sectors in the Windsor- mandate is to plan, facilitate and advocate organization focused on technology. explore entrepreneurship and work for Essex and Chatham-Kent regions. for regional workforce development, A member-driven organization, themselves. And we wouldn’t have the http://www.wetech-alliance.com/ defined as the development, retention, who hosts events and programming extensive ecosystem if there wasn’t such a and recruitment of a wide range of for beginners, professionals, and growing entrepreneurial spirit.” EpiCentre/Epic Genesis: located skilled workers to meet the current and hobbyists. It operates as an event Young people, in particular, are at the University of Windsor and St. future economic and social development space, community workshop, and co- flocking to SBC programs and services, Clair College campuses, provides skills, needs of Windsor-Essex. working space. https://hackf.org/ adds Dyck. “We’re seeing a lot of tools and a network to entrepreneurs youth,” she said. “A summer company and professionals to launch and grow program provides a grant for high school, economic and social initiatives. Services 2017 Stats Small Business Centre university and college students interested include: in-class education, mentorship, in entrepreneurship. What we’re workshops and extra-curricular events Number of Number seeing is a growing number of young and activities. This unique partnership entrepreneurs trying to start-up a tech between the University and College Business 114 of jobs business.” gives entrepreneurs access to the cutting- Start-ups Number created In addition to the influx of youth edge expertise from both institutions. looking at entrepreneurship, SBC’s Starter www.epicentreuwindsor.ca of Business Company Plus program is very appealing www.stclaircollege.ca/genesis Expansions to residents looking for career changes 137 476 and considering opening their own Windsor Essex Capital Angel Number of business as an option. Starter Company Network: WECAN is a not for 11,511 Plus provides training, mentoring and profit corporation focused on business 124 grant funding and in each quarter, we see business funding opportunities with Number of Number over 40 people go through the training. In the goal of sourcing quality early consultations 2017, over $50,000 in Starter Company stage investment opportunities and inquiries of Plus grant funding was provided to presenting them to a like-minded received seminars support small business start-ups in the community of angel investors. 1,387 region. www.weangelnetwork.com SBC’s range of services crosses all Number sectors and includes everything from one- Business Resource Centre of of 625 Total on-one consultations, developing business Essex County: is a not-for-profit Small plans to workshops and programs on such organization dedicated to providing attendees Grants topics as taxes, sales and marketing. For business financing and counseling to Biz Expo more information, go to: http://www. entrepreneurs in rural Essex County. $194,000 windsoressexsmallbusiness.com/. http://ec-businessresourcecentre.ca/ 2,036 attendees PerspectiveTM 13 FCA Canada Holds Deep Roots in Windsor-Essex

Windsor is home to PMS286 PMS432 North America’s most technologically advanced assembly plant

iat Chrysler Automobiles has been a key part of the Windsor- FEssex community for 93 years. It proudly wears the badge of the region’s largest private-sector employer, with a workforce of 6,000 at the Windsor Assembly Plant (WAP), plus more at its Canadian headquarters located in the Windsor Assembly Plant employees celebrate the launch of the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, the industry’s first-ever electrified minivan city’s downtown core. FCA’s Windsor Assembly Plant (WAP) automotive companies in Canada, with extreme weather, corrosion control and ARDC research can be found is the automaker’s sole, global producer of roots that reach deep into the Windsor- precision headlight testing. on the Pacifica. For example, at the minivans and the recent recipient of more Essex business community. From humble FCA refers to the ARDC as “a crown centre’s lighting tunnel – the only than $1 billion in retooling, making it the beginnings in 1925 with 181 employees jewel” within the automaker’s global one of its kind – Pacifica’s beam most technologically-advanced assembly and 4,500 vehicles built, we’ve grown research and development facilities. It’s patterns and light intensity were plant in the company’s North American to nearly 12,000 employees, building a 20-year collaboration that has been benchmarked against competitive industrial network. 530,000 vehicles annually, with 440 committed to “developing the next vehicles to ensure optimum visibility The plant has built Chrysler and Dodge dealerships and 267,000 sales in 2017,” generation of vehicles and engineers,” without causing glare to other minivans since 1983, solidifying Windsor said Reid Bigland, president and CEO, said FCA. drivers, FCA said. as the birthplace of a vehicle that created FCA Canada. “Today, we are focused a new segment for North American car on providing vehicles that fit the lives buyers. The Windsor-Essex automotive of , whether it’s with a go- supply chain, as well as the region’s anywhere Jeep product, a supercharged research and development talent, have muscle car or a vehicle that contributes helped FCA introduce and implement strongly to a sustainable future, like our a steady stream of industry-leading Windsor-built Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid.” innovations. Both the gas and hybrid versions of the In 2016, FCA launched the latest- Pacifica have received numerous industry generation minivan, the Chrysler Pacifica, accolades, including the prestigious Utility which became the first in its segment of the Year award at the 2017 North to offer such advanced safety features as American International Auto Show in parallel and perpendicular parking assist, Detroit for the gasoline-powered minivan Join us in Windsor-Essex, Ontario, an international hub for forward collision warning with brake and the 2018 Canadian Utility Vehicle mitigation, lane departure warning with of the Year award by AJAC (Automobile automation, to hear from leading global innovators. The conference mitigation and rear park assist with auto Journalists Association of Canada). and trade show will bring together experts and companies stop. All told, Pacifica has more than 80 showcasing new and exciting technology in automation, connected Later that year, FCA introduced the awards under its belt, becoming the most and automated vehicles, facilities of the future and more. Pacifica plug-in Hybrid, the industry’s first awarded minivan of the past two years. electric minivan, which also is the focus Over the past twenty years, FCA of an FCA-Google partnership designed Canada has invested more than $1 billion Tuesday, November 6, 2018 to develop self-driving vehicles. Waymo, in research and development, much of Google’s California-based autonomous- it in the Windsor-Essex region with Caesars Windsor | Windsor, Ontario driving spinoff, is incorporating its partnership projects between leading technologies into a test fleet of Pacifica Ontario universities, including Windsor, choosewindsoressex.com/emergingtechnologies Hybrid minivans. Waymo’s initial order McMaster and Waterloo and the FCA of about 100 hybrid minivans has since Automotive Research and Development grown to thousands. Centre (ARDC). “For more than nine decades, FCA Among other things, the ARDC Canada has grown into one of the largest performs road simulations, testing for PerspectiveTM 14

some cases proprietary technology at An M-Track automated our facilities, we are able to increase harvesting system at its cucumber efficiencies, supply and food safety, farm has enhanced food safety while reducing cost and travel miles. by reducing product handling, he PMS286 PMS432 All of these factors benefit the added. “By using the M-Track consumer, which is the driving force automated harvesting system in behind our commitment to make our cucumber farm, one employee continual investments in advanced wearing a glove will harvest a automation.” cucumber and the next time it is Located in North America’s largest touched by human hands is by the cluster of greenhouse growers, the consumer.” Kingsville, Ont.,-based operation As well, Mucci employs a wide produces tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, variety of robotics in its packing lettuce and strawberries. Employing facilities that increase efficiencies by Mucci Farms Delivers the more than 1,200 full-time workers, speeding up sorting, packing labeling its operations cover over 200 acres of and palletizing,” said Spano. “All of the greenhouses in Kingsville as well as automation allows us to get product Highest Quality Product 24-acres in Huron, Ohio with plans for to retail shelves quickly, which in turn 36 additional acres by 2020. benefits that consumer with maximum With markets in Canada and the shelf life.” to Consumers United States, Mucci announced last Spano said Mucci will continue to year a $12 million expansion to grow invest in automations. strawberries year-round using artificial “We are always on the lookout for t Mucci Farms, automation “Automation and robotics are lights. world class automation and robotics and robotics have helped the of premium importance because it Spano said automating Mucci’s because it’s certainly one of the keys to Agreenhouse grower reach its allows us to provide consumers with lettuce facility has lowered labour costs. remain competitive, not only because ultimate goal: delivering the highest the freshest, most flavourful produce “We were able to significantly reduce of the cost savings but because of the quality product to consumers, said along with maximum shelf life at the labour without having an impact on premium, consistent quality we are able Joe Spano, vice-president of sales and lowest possible cost,” said Spano. “As how many heads of lettuce we are able to provide consumers, in an efficient marketing. a result of state-of-the-art and in to harvest.” manner.” uwindsor.ca

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