Government Initiatives

The Alberta Government is active in the sustainable development of the metal fabrication sector through several initiatives. These activities are designed with industry input to foster long-term business opportunities for Alberta’s citizens and companies.

Key initiatives in the metal fabrication sector include: 

Supply Chain & Industry Development

Alberta Finance and Enterprise has been active in encouraging companies in Alberta to expand their companies and supply chains through the development of strategic alliances.

  • AlbertaMetal.ca

    For current information on business intelligence, sector events, market opportunities and the Metal Fab Pulse Newsletter.

  • National Buyer Seller Forum
     
    The National Buyer Seller Forum provides a platform for manufacturers and tier one oil sands suppliers in Alberta, who are at capacity, to connect with those manufacturers across Canada (and in Alberta) who have excess capacity.

  • Productivity Alberta
     
    Some of Alberta’s key opportunities and challenges are emerging through company efforts to improve productivity and competitiveness.  To find out the services that you can access and find out more information, please visit Productivity Alberta

Industry Innovation Support

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

  • 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 Canada holds a pre-eminent position as a leader in research, development, education and application of welding and joining technologies.

  • Implementing High Productivity Welding & Automation Technologies
     
    Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures (formerly the Alberta Research Council) 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.

  • Innovative Manufacturing Works
     
    Innovative Manufacturing Works (IMW) is a working group made up of industry associations, three levels of government, and educational institutions. It was developed in response to manufacturing cluster/industry issues raised and is designed to:

    • Increase awareness of the innovations in manufacturing in Alberta

    • Foster understanding of the importance of manufacturing and the value added supply chain to the overall economy of the Province of Alberta

    • Provide educational/informational opportunities to manufacturers – events that assist in addressing key competitiveness issues and innovations for application within their business operations

    • Promote manufacturing as a viable career opportunity

Business Planning Publications

In a fast-paced, global marketplace, Alberta’s companies need solid business planning information so they can take smart risks and make good business decisions. The following publications were developed or co-developed by the Government of Alberta:

  • 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 its future prospects.

  • Alberta Pressure Vessel Manufacturing Sector Benchmarking Report
     
    The world is coming to compete in Alberta and our industry players want to know how they compare to their competition around the globe. This report indicates Alberta industry strengths and identifies areas for improvement. 

For additional information about government programs and financing, visit:

  • The Business Link

    The Business Link is 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.

Date Updated: Jan 14, 2010
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