NGen Launches 15 New Advanced Manufacturing Projects Valued at $59M, Supporting 31 Companies Across Canada

Calgary, AB, August 13, 2024  – Today, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement, announced a significant new project as part of NGen’s initiative to support 15 advanced manufacturing projects. This new venture focuses on developing an innovative fully autonomous, end-to-end production system enabled by artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, designed to automate routine manual functions in the assembly process.

The project, led by Petra Hygienic Systems International Limited, Mastrin Digital Solutions, Ltd., and SIDAC Automated Systems Inc., aims to revolutionize the case packing process for finished goods. By integrating proprietary mechanical solutions, advanced robotics, and AI, the new system will automate repetitive tasks with high flexibility and efficiency, eliminating the need for manual changeovers. This cutting-edge solution is tailored to meet the needs of small and mid-sized business (SMB) contract manufacturers, offering them the versatility and automation they require in today’s competitive market. With a total project cost of more than $3 million, NGen is contributing more than $1.1 million to support this transformative initiative.

This project represents a major step forward in enhancing automation in manufacturing. The development of this advanced system will not only streamline production processes but also bolster Canada’s position as a leader in manufacturing technology and innovation.

This announcement is part of a broader NGen funding initiative, which supported 15 advanced manufacturing projects across Canada with a total value of $59M. To date, NGen has funded 211 Cluster projects involving 483 industry partners and 313 research groups, resulting in $7.2 billion in new sales and the creation of 66 new companies and 3,901 direct jobs. NGen’s investments continue to drive innovation and economic growth in the manufacturing and technology sectors, reinforcing Canada’s leadership in advanced manufacturing.