Opportunities

The Alberta Metal Fab Innovation [AMFI] Program

The Alberta Metal Fab Innovation [AMFI] Program is a unique company development opportunity designed specifically for the Alberta metal manufacturing sector. The Program provides innovation and improvement opportunities for Alberta companies and stakeholders. Participants gain access to both production and business enhancement expertise developed and provided by some of Alberta’s top research, technology development and process improvement institutions.

Offered throughout the province, the AMFI Program is ‘made in Alberta for Alberta’. Expect exciting, interactive workshops that provide hands-on equipment demonstrations with the latest fabrication technologies, welding metallurgy and processes, business development techniques for accessing energy markets and strengthening supply chains, along with opportunities for individual company coaching.

Development of Alberta’s energy and other natural resources remains the most significant driver of the provincial economy. As energy market supply chains become global, Alberta manufacturers and fabricators face unprecedented competition for their products and services. They also face cost and workforce challenges unique to Alberta, driven by some of the largest mega-project investment in the world. The AMFI Program is a designed to help increase your company’s efficiency, productivity and competitiveness in order to capitalize on these Alberta market opportunities. Then build on what you learn in the AMFI Program to help expand your markets beyond the province. For more information on the Program and upcoming sessions please visit http://www.productivityalberta.ca/AMFI.

Industrial Energy Efficiency Workshops

Since 1997, over 15,000 representatives of industrial, commercial, and institutional organizations from every region of Canada have enrolled in Dollars to $ense energy efficiency workshops offered by Natural Resources Canada’s Office of Energy Efficiency.

Six different workshops are offered, and Productivity Alberta is proud to be a delivery partner for these workshops in Alberta. Workshops include:

  • Spot the Energy Savings Opportunities
  • Energy Efficiency Financing
  • Energy Monitoring
  • Energy Management Planning
  • Energy Management Information Systems
  • Building Recommissioning

To learn more, visit productivityalberta.ca/energyefficiency.

Market Studies

  • Alberta Industrial Sector Market Opportunities Report (PDF, June 2010): This McKinsey & Company report is an assessment of significant economic growth opportunities in Alberta. The report reviews growth options in nine of Alberta's leading industrial sectors, including the metal manufacturing industry.
  • 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 future prospects.
  • Alberta Pressure Vessel Manufacturing Sector: Benchmarking Report 2008 (PDF, April 2008): The pressure vessel manufacturing industry plays a critical role in the development of oil sands and its resultant downstream processing. This report provides Alberta pressure vessel manufacturing companies with insight on their relative competitive positioning within a global context.

Industry innovation support

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

  • Implementing High Productivity Welding & Automation Technologies: Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures provides technical services for Alberta's manufacturing and resource industry. Their Welding Engineering Program aims to improve the productivity and quality of the fabrication, construction and energy industries by evaluating and facilitating the adoption of modern welding and automation technologies. The program includes:
    • Welding Quality and Productivity in the Oil Sands Energy Industry
    • The Alberta Metal Fab Innovation (AMFI) Program
    • Welding Testing and Services
  • Canadian Centre for Welding & Joining: The research done in the Canadian Centre for Welding and Joining (CCWJ) focuses on productivity, weldability, automation, and performance. Introducing new processes, procedures, materials, and technologies, researching difficult-to-weld materials such as aged and embrittled alloys, and examining non-destructive testing, corrosion, and fracture issues are some of the areas addressed within the centre. The CCWJ is also a partner in the AMFI Program.

Institutes

  • Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters: CME is Canada's largest industry and trade association, offering services to manufacturing and exporting firms.
  • The Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC): CISC is the national industry organization representing the structural steel, open web steel joist and steel plate work fabricating industries.
  • Alberta Pressure Vessel Manufacturers' Association (APVMA): The Alberta Pressure Vessel Manufacturers' Association (APVMA) was formed in 1987 by members of Alberta's pressure vessel and heat exchanger industry to provide a forum for communication and discussion on issues concerning the industry. The pressure equipment industry in Alberta produces world-class pressure vessels and heat exchangers for both Alberta and Canada-wide markets and exports product to the United States and more than 40 other countries around the globe.
  • The Canadian Welding Association (CWA): The Canadian Welding Association (CWA) is a not-for-profit division of the CWB Group. The CWA was formed as a national membership driven association, mandated to promoting and supporting the welding and joining industry in Canada.

Exporting

Business planning

For additional information about government programs and financing, visit: The Business Link, 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.

For more information about Alberta opportunities in the Metal Manufacturing industry, visit:

  • Albertametal.ca: The albertametal.ca website provides accurate and timely information on Alberta's metal fabrication industry to enhance your competitiveness and overall growth opportunities. 
  • Productivity Alberta: Some of Alberta’s key opportunities and challenges are emerging through company efforts to improve productivity and competitiveness. To learn more about the services available, please visit Productivity Alberta.
  • National Buyer Seller Forum: The annual National Buyer/Seller Forum is a joint government/industry supply chain development initiative. Energy producers, manufacturers and suppliers from across Canada and the globe meet at the forum to generate new business and share best practices.
  • Oil Sands Trade Show and Conference: Since 1985, Oil Sands Trade Show & Conference has been the business gateway to the oil sands community. Focusing on the entire supply chain, attendees and exhibitors gather together to source new technologies, services and products, gain new contacts and maintain current ones, and get face to face with key decision makers. Held in the heart of the oil sands sector, the Oil Sands Trade Show & Conference is the premier business-to-business platform.