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:
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 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.Greater Edmonton Bitumen Upgrader Study
The Greater Edmonton Bitumen Upgrader Study was authored by the Government of Alberta and the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation (EEDC) to assess the feasibility of constructing a bitumen upgrader in Edmonton, Alberta. The study is divided into two phases:Phase I: This part of the study was completed and published in March, 2007, and outlined the equipment, service and infrastructure requirements for the proposed bitumen upgrading facility. The study concluded the following:
- The base procurement demands of the upgrader during the construction years of 2008 to 2015 would amount to between CDN$18.8 billion and $32.9 billion, excluding pipeline investment.
- The demand for supplies, services and capital upgrades could very easily exceed CDN$100 billion over the 30- to 50-year life expectancy of the upgrader, generating significant supply responsibilities.
- The upgrader developments will allow Alberta to expand its existing heavy industrial manufacturing base, generating both direct and indirect economic benefits from oil sands developments and facilitating the growth of a world-class heavy industrial manufacturing hub.
Phase II: This part of the study will be published on November 30, 2007 and will assess the local capacity in Alberta to supply the construction and service requirements of the upgrader. Gaps in defined segments of the local manufacturing and service industries, and in existing industrial infrastructure, will also be identified.
Western Steel Market Opportunities Study
Alberta’s bitumen upgrader projects are going to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in steel purchases. This report will estimate the size and requirement of those purchases in order to offer Alberta’s industry better planning opportunities.
Supply Chain & Industry Development
Alberta Employment, Immigration and Industry (AEII) has been active in encouraging companies in Alberta to expand their companies and supply chains through the development of strategic alliances.
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 Pathways Seminar
The Productivity Pathways Seminar offers companies a starting point as they modernize their operations to take advantage of Alberta’s remarkable business opportunities and address some of the key challenges including labour availability.Seminars to date have addressed:
- labour productivity
- supply chain innovation
- welding automation
Upcoming dates will focus on topics such as:
- automated cutting systems
- enterprise resource planning software
Industry Innovation Support
Alberta’s companies want to take advantage of present market opportunities and engage in future competition for global business. Alberta Employment, Immigration and Industry (AEII) 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.
Capital Cost Allowance Support The federal government has offered manufacturers an accelerated capital cost allowance on new machinery and equipment, a measure designed to encourage businesses to invest more in capital. AEII is publicizing this program throughout industry to encourage participation and innovation.
Implementing High Productivity Welding & Automation Technologies
The Alberta Research Council (ARC) is leading a project dedicated to bringing greater awareness of high productivity welding technologies. The first report commissioned by ARC and AEII will assess 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 the Alberta Research Council.
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
For additional information about government programs and financing, visit:
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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.
