Opportunities

The Alberta Metal Fab Innovation [AMFI] Program

The Alberta Metal Fab Innovation [AMFI] Program is a unique company development opportunity designed specifically for the Alberta metal manufacturing sector. The Program provides innovation and improvement opportunities for sector companies and stakeholders. Participants gain access to both production and business enhancement expertise developed and provided by some of Alberta’s top research, technology development and process improvement institutions.  

Offered throughout the province, the AMFI Program is ‘made in Alberta for Alberta’. Expect exciting, interactive workshops that provide hands-on equipment demonstrations with the latest fabrication technologies; welding metallurgy and processes; capacity-building business development techniques for accessing energy markets; and opportunities for individual company coaching.  

Development of Alberta’s energy and other natural resources remains the most significant driver of the provincial economy. As energy market supply chains become global, Alberta manufacturers and fabricators face unprecedented competition for their products and services. They also face cost and workforce challenges unique to Alberta, driven by some of the largest mega-project investment in the world.  The AMFI Program is a designed to help increase your company’s efficiency, productivity and competitiveness in order to capitalize on these Alberta market opportunities.  Then build on what you learn in the AMFI Program to help expand your markets beyond the province. For more information on the Program and upcoming sessions please visit http://www.productivityalberta.ca/AMFI.

Alberta Oil Sands Supply Chain Opportunities

Unlocking the Prize: Metal Fabrication Procurement for Development and Operation of Alberta's Oil Sands
(PDF, August 2011)

This report, prepared by Sierra Systems analyzes Alberta oil sands supply chain opportunities for the metal fabrication sector.

Industrial Energy Efficiency Workshops

Since 1997, over 15,000 representatives of industrial, commercial, nd institutional organizations from every region of Canada have enrolled in Dollars to $ense energy efficiency workshops offered by Natural Resources Canada’s Office of Energy Efficiency.

Six different workshops are offered, and Productivity Alberta is proud to be a delivery partner for these workshops in Alberta. Workshops include:

  • Spot the Energy Savings Opportunities
  • Energy Efficiency Financing
  • Energy Monitoring
  • Energy Management Planning
  • Energy Management Information Systems
  • Building Recommissioning

To learn more, download the Industrial Energy Efficiency Workshops brochure, or register at productivityalberta.ca/energyefficiency.

Market Studies   

  • Alberta Industrial Sector Market Opportunities Report (PDF, June 2010): This McKinsey & Company report is an assessment of significant economic growth opportunities in Alberta. The report reviews growth options in nine of Alberta's leading industrial sectors, including the metal manufacturing industry.

  • Alberta Metal Fabrication and Machinery Manufacturing: Sector Overview (PDF, August 2008): This report was sponsored by Alberta Finance and Enterprise, Calgary Economic Development, the Central Alberta Regional Innovation Network and Edmonton Economic Development Corporation to support the growth of the metal fabrication and manufacturing industry in Alberta by determining its present status and future prospects.

  • Alberta Pressure Vessel Manufacturing Sector: Benchmarking Report 2008 (PDF, April 2008): The pressure vessel manufacturing industry plays a critical role in the development of oil sands and its resultant downstream processing. This report provides Alberta pressure vessel manufacturing companies with insight on their relative competitive positioning within a global context.

  • Edmonton Economic Development Corporation – Welding and Joining Technologies Opportunity and Gap Analysis for Regional Firms: Final Report (PDF, April 2006): This study looks to identify and quantify gaps in current skills and capabilities of Edmonton region firms that are providing or that wish to provide welding and joining services to large northern Alberta industrial projects. This study then looks to provide options to address these gaps.

  • Greater Edmonton Bitumen Upgrader Study (Phase I and II). These studies outline the size, type and timing of business opportunities, arising either directly or indirectly, from the bitumen upgrading industry.

    • Phase I (PDF, March 2007) identifies and documents the existing proposed upgrading facilities’ equipment, service and infrastructure requirements.

    • Phase II  (PDF, January 2008) assesses the local capacity in Alberta to supply the construction and service requirements of the upgraders. It also identifies the gaps in defined segments of the local manufacturing and service industries, and in existing industrial infrastructure. Oil & Gas Equipment and Services Investment Opportunity Analysis  (PDF, May 2006): The study identifies and evaluates investment attraction opportunities in the oil and gas equipment and services industry in Alberta.

Industry innovation support

Alberta’s companies want to take advantage of present market opportunities and engage in future competition for global business. Alberta Treasury Board & Enterprise is pleased to partner with industry to develop practical, bottom-line enhancing innovations to ensure ongoing success.

  • Implementing High Productivity Welding & Automation Technologies: Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures is leading a project dedicated to bringing greater awareness of high productivity welding technologies. The first report assessed technology advancements in welding processes and automation and roadblocks to acceptance of these technologies. Over 50 Alberta corporations have been engaged for the industry wide survey that is part of this study. For more information on this initiative, please contact Matthew Yarmuch with Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures.

  • Canadian Centre for Welding & Joining: The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Alberta and Weldco-Beales Manufacturing are working to establish the Canadian Centre for Welding and Joining. Though welding is a critical enabling technology in Alberta’s metal products fabrication sector, little welding and joining research is currently conducted by Canadian universities. The new centre will ensure that Alberta—and Canada—holds a pre-eminent position as a leader in research, development, education and application of welding and joining technologies.

Canadian Institutes

Exporting

Business planning publications

For additional information about government programs and financing, visit: The Business Link, a not-for-profit organization supported by the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta that provides services and information to small businesses in Alberta.

For more information about Alberta opportunities in the Metal Manufacturing industry, visit:

  • Albertametal.ca: The Albertametal.ca website provides accurate and timely information on Alberta's metal fabrication industry to enhance your competitiveness and overall growth opportunities.

  • Productivity Alberta: Some of Alberta’s key opportunities and challenges are emerging through company efforts to improve productivity and competitiveness.  To learn more about the services available, please visit Productivity Alberta.

  • National Buyer Seller Forum: The annual National Buyer/Seller Forum is a joint government/industry supply chain development initiative. Energy producers, manufacturers and suppliers from across Canada and the globe meet at the forum to generate new business and share best practices.

  • Oil Sands Trade Show and Conference: Since 1985, Oil Sands Trade Show & Conference has been the business gateway to the oil sands community.  Focusing on the entire supply chain, attendees and exhibitors gather together to source new technologies, services and products, gain new contacts and maintain current ones, and get face to face with key decision makers. Held in the heart of the oil sands sector, the Oil Sands Trade Show & Conference is the premier business-to-business platform.

Date Updated:
RDP-2084