Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why a Manufacturing Innovation Network

Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and surrounding area manufacturers are a vital-and growing-part of the region's economy, providing good jobs and helping all area residents enjoy a high quality of life. Manufacturers also recognize they need an edge to compete with the world. In today's technology-driven, global economy, that means high-performance workplaces and ready access to workers with the knowledge and skills those workplaces require.

That's why IGLOO Software and its partners have launched the Manufacturing Innovation Network to expand the reach of high-performance manufacturing practices; promote innovation and collaboration; connect local manufacturers with experts and services; encourage bi-directional conversation and knowledge sharing; join forces to fill the skilled-worker shortage and expose high-wage job opportunities, and provide increased awareness and exposure to manufacturers in the region.

Developed with direct feedback by manufacturers, and exclusively for manufacturers, the MIN executes on a bold vision that builds a self-sustaining cycle of prosperity: productive people, innovative ideas and competitive companies!

• Workforce education and training systems produce workers with the skills manufacturers need.
• Worker skills drive the innovation necessary to capture a competitive edge in the global market.
• Success in the global market ensures prosperity for the area companies, their workers and the region's economy .
• Prosperity allows continued reinvestment in building the region's private and public workforce systems.
• Workforce education and training systems produce workers with the skills manufacturers need.

   

2. What will the MIN accomplish?

The MIN strategy has 4 primary goals: 

1. Systems Building: Linkages, Coordination, Brokering.
   Link industry-specific and regionally based "centers" of manufacturing activity across the province to share ideas and share best practices.
2. Workplaces: High-Performance, Innovation, Competitiveness.
   Expand the reach of high-performance manufacturing practices and techniques to create more competitive companies.
3. Workforce: Skills, Agility, Productivity.
   Fill the skilled worker shortage by proving ready access to training programs for current workers and collaborate to attract new workers to high-demand occupations.
4. Communications: Awareness, Information, Opportunity.
   Raise awareness about the value of the region's manufacturing industry and its high-wage career opportunities.

3. What are the intended outcomes?

The MIN has 5 intended outcomes:

1. Workforce education and training systems produces more workers with the skills manufacturers need.
2. Raising awareness of high-skill, high-wage career opportunities recruits more talent to fill manufacturing jobs.
3. Skilled workers implement high-performance and lean manufacturing practices to give the region's manufacturers a competitive edge.
4. The success of manufacturers within the region generates higher profits, worker incomes and regional revenues.
5. A strong manufacturing sector allows the region to continue investing in responsive workforce training and workplace performance programs, creating a self-sustaining cycle of prosperity.

4. Who is leading the strategy?

Implementation of the strategy is led by a Advisory Council representing a cross-section of all major sectors of manufacturing via the consortiums and associations supporting the manufacturing industry, various levels of government, academic institutions and key manufacturing organizations, including:

• Custom Foam Systems Inc.
• Boehmer Box
• George Guenzler & Sons Inc.
• Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC)
• Conestoga College
• University of Waterloo
• City of Kitchener
• City of Cambridge
• City of Waterloo
• Canada's Technology Triangle (CTT)
• Communitech
• Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce
• Cambridge Chamber of Commerce

   

5. How is the MIN structured?

The technology powering the MIN is owned and operated by a local software vendor called IGLOO Software They also provide a collection of key operational services to the network including:

• Technology - access to eading edge community software platform
• Hosting - a world class data centre for hosting the network (hardware, software, networking, data backups)
• Advertising - management of online ads, ecommerce
• Staffing - community facilitators, content specialists, administration, marketing and technologists 

IGLOO Software is paid for these services through advertising, sponsorship fees along with a small percentage of funding from the Advisory Council.

A not for profit entity has also been set up and an Executive Director (reporting the the Advisory Council) and will be hired to ensure that the directives from the Advisory Council are carried out. The Executive Director will work to build the MIN brand; support the standing committees; provide direction to IGLOO Inc.; foster partnerships; and promote the MIN within the Waterloo Region. 

6. How is MIN funded?

• Sponsorships
• Advertising
• Advisory Board

7. How do I get more information about the MIN?

For more information about the Manufacturing Innovation Network, contact us.