Three universities to lead Ontario in advanced manufacturing

Ontario’s top research-intensive universities are joining forces to create an Advanced Manufacturing Consortium. McMaster University, University of Waterloo and Western University have received $35 million in funding over five years from the Government of Ontario. This move is part of an ongoing project by the province to combine and boost the existing strengths in Ontario’s manufacturing heartland.

The Consortium was created to allow the three institutions to lead Ontario in advanced manufacturing, “including in emerging sectors like next generation additive manufacturing, digital components and devices, across a variety of sectors with the potential to make a significant impact on a global scale.”

The Advanced Manufacturing Consortium will allow for unique technologies to emerge and reinvigorate traditional manufacturing sectors that have seen losses over the last few years.

The partner universities have already established significant infrastructure, talent and know-how. They all have a strong track record in research, training and commercialization in the advanced manufacturing and materials sectors.

The trio have worked together in the past to develop next generation advanced manufacturing techniques. For example, Waterloo and McMaster have successfully collaborated on the “Initiative for Automotive Manufacturing Innovation” and Western and McMaster have an effective partnership for many projects involving the Fraunhofer Composites Centre. All three universities have cooperated on a project for lightweighting of automotive components.

The Consortium will serve as a centre for the development of new technologies, creating new products and production methods and generating new highly-skilled jobs.