Regina Leader-Post (March 17, 2009)

REGINA -- In order to survive in these tough times, Saskatchewan manufacturers need to get lean — as in lean manufacturing, a production philosophy that seeks to reduce waste and increase efficiency.

To that end, the provincial and federal governments have each pitched in about $100,000 to fund a one-year pilot project to promote the adoption of lean production techniques among the province’s manufacturers.

Using funds from the Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA), the two governments will jointly contribute $198,000 to the newly created Saskatchewan Manufacturers’ Resource Centre in Saskatoon to hire two specialists to facilitate training in lean manufacturing practices.
Enterprise and Innovation Minister Lyle Stewart said lean manufacturing principles will help Saskatchewan manufacturers to “survive and thrive in a 21st century global marketplace.”

“This resource centre will provide much-needed productivity and human resource management to the manufacturing industry,’’ Stewart said. “By assisting the industry to continue developing its capability to improve productivity and increase innovation, (the centre) will further increase our manufacturing industry’s ability to compete globally.’’

Manufacturing is “one of three major wealth-generating sectors in our province’’ and exports 80 per cent of its production, Stewart said.
“With shipments of over $12.3 billion in 2008, (Saskatchewan manufacturing) has the highest growth among the four Western provinces,’’ Stewart added.

Palliser MP Ray Boughen, representing the federal government, said the funds represent the final investment under the previous WEPA agreement.
However, the recently announced renewal of the WEPA agreement will provide another $50 million over four years “to diversify and grow Saskatchewan’s economy,” Boughen said.

Brian McCready, vice-president of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters for Alberta and Saskatchewan, said the newly formed centre will provide lean manufacturing training for Saskatchewan manufacturers that used to be provided out-of-province.

“We need to have more people in the province of Saskatchewan to participate (in lean manufacturing training),’’ McCready said.

“In these times that we’re in, it’s even more critical that we have some place … that is bringing the knowledge that we need to move forward.”

McCready added that, if successful, the pilot project could lead to the establishment of a manufacturing ‘centre of excellence’ in the province.

Gavin Semple, president of the Brandt Group of Companies, said lean manufacturing has helped Brandt to weather fluctuating currencies, economic downturns and trade disruptions.

“Many of our employees, if not all, have been involved in helping us to become more efficient and more productive through (lean manufacturing training). So we welcome any assistance and support you can provide to us through the Manufacturers’ Resource Centre.’’