Are you planning any capital investments or technology upgrades over the next 12–24 months?

Open Forum
1

One conversation I've been having with a lot of manufacturers lately is that many companies move forward with projects without realizing there may be government funding available to offset a portion of the cost.

One program worth keeping an eye on is the Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness (AMIC) Program in Ontario.

The program is designed to help manufacturers invest in projects that improve productivity and competitiveness, such as:

  • Automation and robotics
  • AI implementation
  • Digital transformation
  • New production equipment
  • Process optimization
  • Advanced manufacturing technologies

For eligible projects, funding can often support a meaningful portion of project costs, making it easier to accelerate investments that businesses were already planning.

Even if AMIC isn't the right fit, companies pursuing innovation may also be eligible for other programs, including SR&ED tax credits, IRAP, regional development funding, export funding, or workforce training incentives.

I'm curious-what investments are manufacturers prioritizing right now? Automation? AI? Capacity expansion? Something else?

Happy to share insights or point anyone in the right direction if they're exploring funding options.

2

Energy efficiency and process optimization are high on the priority list for many food manufacturers, especially as they look to reduce operating costs and improve sustainability.

For companies with existing evaporation processes, upgrading from conventional shell-and-tube evaporators to modern plate evaporation systems can be a worthwhile consideration. Depending on the application, this can improve thermal efficiency, product quality, cleanability, and overall operating performance while reducing energy consumption.

If anyone is evaluating evaporation system upgrades as part of a modernization or funding initiative, I'd be happy to discuss whether a plate evaporation solution could be a good fit.