Board of Trade brings experts together to share experiences in manufacturing

The Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade held 'Next Generation of Manufacturers' on Sept. 21 to assist member businesses in the manufacturing sector, to connect, communicate and share challenges and successes.

Represented among the business leaders on hand were a wide-range of manufacturers and the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade is pleased to support its members with events like this.

Panelists, from left, were Ives Mazzarolo, Flexomaster,Gary Johnson, Bayly Communications, Jannette Mongeon, Jet Moulding Compounds and Warren Beacom, Intellimeter.

The manufacturing industry as a whole, so globally competitive, faces many challenges on an ongoing basis. The seminar provided each participant an opportunity to learn from one another and each left with new ideas and strategies for success and growth within all aspects of their operations.

This event may inspire regular events geared directly towards the specific needs of our manufacturing community.  Participants learned how others have transformed through the recession with: Best practices; Innovation; Global Expansion; and access to federal/ provincial programs.

The event came together through a collaborative effort. Kathy McKay, the Board’s executive Director meets with Sue Castanier, a senior advisor to the ministry of economic development and trade on a regular basis to compare notes.

Robert J. Weese, B2B Sales Connection, was facilitator for the seminar.

It is Sue’s mandate to work with manufacturers and together Sue and Kathy discussed for some time the need for such an event. Their shared goal was to determine ongoing issues for manufacturers and Sue this year brought up a recurring theme: feedback centred around the need for improved access to finances. This lead them to call Margaret Peco, the Whitby branch manager for the Business Development Bank of Canada. Their discussion continued and related to finances, it was determined Danny Ladouceur, of R&D One, an expert in Scientific Research and Experimental Development tax credits would be the right person to talk to.

At this point, a manufacturer was sought out for more feedback and Janette Mongeon from Jet Moulding Compounds was approached about the topic of best practices. Well, they liked her thinking on this so much she was recruited to be a panelist.
Finally, the last piece of the puzzle was to find a facilitator that could bring all of this together in one cohesive seminar. That’s where Bob Weese of B2B Sales Connection came in. Bob was already a key component to the steering committee, with his knowledge of sales techniques as a means of improving business results.

Our Panelists

Gary Johnson, Bayly Communications
    Gary Johnson is V/P, Business Development of Bayly Communications. Bayly enables critical network communications through a range of innovative and cost effective solutions. Highly reliable and configured to address client-specific requirements, Bayly solutions integrate voice, data and image traffic.
Warren Beacom, Intellimeter
    Warren Beacom is the President & founder of Intellimeter, which began as a meter distribution company in 1991, and then moved into developing and designing electronic meter systems for multi-tenant facilities.  ICI has bridged the technological barriers of supplying the most current hardware and software in the industry.  From the PT2000 Data Logger to the newly launched products, the M-3 Series, the MP-636 and I-431, provide all desired metering data in real-time and at an accuracy level normally reserved for the highest end meters that cost thousands of dollars. Serving Canada, across the U.S. down to Ecuador and throughout the Caribbean.
Jannette Mongeon, Jet Moulding Compounds
    Jannette Mongeon is Vice President of Jet Moulding Compounds, which specializes in design and manufacture of  Fiberglass reinforced Thermoset Plastics.  Sheet and Bulk Moulding Compounds are the primary products produced by JET and sold to compression moulders. JET SMC can be found in products that require high strength and corrosion resistance.  Warning tactiles, manhole covers, electrical boxes, various Military applications and most recently the Olympic Torch are some of the products produced from JET SMC.  JET is Family owned and has operated in Ajax since 1979.
Ives Mazzarolo, Flexomaster
    Ives Mazzarolo is owner of Flexomaster. For over 20 years, Flexomaster has built a reputation for providing superior quality labels to many diversified industries. Founded in 1986, Flexomaster is a privately held corporation. Beginning in Pickering, ON, Flexomasters persistent growth and development led to the expansions in 1989, 1994 and to our current location in Ajax, ON in 1997. Today, Flexomasters dedication to building and maintaining solid and lasting relationships, combined with our pledge to provide quality products at competitive prices are the key factors to our continued success.

The Steering Committee

Danny Ladouceur, R&D One Inc.
Robert J. Weese, B2B Sales Connection (And facilitator for the seminar)
Margaret Peco, Branch Manager, Business Development Bank of Canada
Sue Castanier, Sr. Business Advisor, Ministry of Economic Development & Trade
Jannette Mongeon, Jet Moulding Compounds