Canadian industries operated at 80.7 per cent of their production capacity in the fourth quarter, down slightly from the 81.1 per cent in the third quarter, according to new figures from Statistics Canada. The decline was a result of lower capacity utilization in the manufacturing sector. The 2.1 percentage point decline in the manufacturing sector in the fourth quarter was partly offset by gains in the non-manufacturing sector. The manufacturing sector operated at 80.2 per cent of its capacity in the fourth quarter, 2.1 percentage points lower than in the previous quarter. The decline was largely attributable to transportation equipment…

Canada’s economy moved up to a ranking of sixth among the 16 countries assessed in The Conference Board of Canada’s 2012 How Canada Performs: Economy report card. While Canada retains a “B” grade and improved its ranking from 11th in the last pre-recession report card for 2008, it is more a reflection of weakness among its peers than of a stellar Canadian economy. This is a chart on the How Canada Performs report card.“This “B” grade should be viewed as relative because Canada fares poorly when compared with the top-performing economies. With the exception of inflation and employment growth, Canada…

A new 36-page, color handbook—the AEGIS Shaft Grounding Ring Motor Repair Handbook—describes best practices for protecting motor bearings from electrical damage. Available from Electro Static Technology (EST), manufacturer of AEGIS shaft grounding rings, the book explains how to diagnose electrical bearing damage caused by variable frequency drives (VFDs), also known as inverters.  It then goes on to explain in detail best practices for preventing such damage to motors of various sizes and horsepower ratings. Ideal for plant maintenance personnel as well as motor repair shops, the handbook is available in PDF format for downloading free of charge at www.est-aegis.com/bearing. “Users…

Sumitomo Precision Products Co. Ltd. (SPP) Japan has announced the opening of its Canadian operations, SPP Canada Aircraft Inc. (SPPCA), in Mississauga, Ont., to better serve their client base and North American customers on. The 102,000-sq.-ft. facility at 2025 Meadowvale Blvd. in Mississauga will house full engineering capability—design, production and product support for landing gear and relevant landing gear control systems for commercial aircraft. The production capability of the newly established Canadian subsidiary will be focused on the final assembly process for landing gear and the assembly kit parts will be supplied primarily from its headquarters in Japan. The site…

An Oklahoma-based company plans to spend up to $900 million to build a plant that converts Alberta propane into a more valuable product used to make plastics. Williams says the facility will be the first in Canada to make polymer-grade propylene. The gas will be transported on railcars to U.S. Gulf Coast petrochemical producers, but the company is also exploring ways to develop a market within Alberta. Much of the propane Williams will use is a byproduct of the oilsands upgrading process. David Chappell, president of Williams’ Canadian division, says processing the gas in Alberta is better for the economy…

When it comes to safety, Canadians trust expert industry approval. According to a recent survey commissioned by the Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB), 97 per cent of Canadians agree that construction work, including welding contractors and steel fabricators, should be overseen by a national organization and held to a common Canadian standard. CWB is the regulator of welding professionals and companies throughout Canada, and works to ensure that each project involving welding is completed and overseen by certified and accredited professionals. Craig Martin, vice-president of public safety at CWB, said, “Since founding CWB in 1947, Canadians have taken a position of…

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is signalling he’ll concentrate on skills training, infrastructure and the battered manufacturing sector in Thursday’s budget. The finance minister outlines the three priorities in a letter to the Conservative caucus, but offers few specifics. The letter is no surprise as the minister has also signalled he believes a major difficulty with the economy is that current training programs and post-secondary education do not sufficiently prepare Canadians for the jobs that are available. “There are too many jobs that go unfilled in Canada because employers can’t find workers with the right skills,” the letter states. “Training in…

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) issued its decision on the Environmental Assessment (EA) for Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) Darlington Nuclear Generating Station (DNGS) Refurbishment and Continued Operation Project, enabling OPG to move ahead with a number of activities. “OPG is very pleased with the CNSC’s decision,” said Wayne Robbins, OPG’s chief nuclear officer. “We were confident in our conclusions that Darlington Refurbishment and continued operation of the station will not result in any significant, adverse environmental effects, given the mitigation measures identified.” The Darlington project involves the refurbishment of the four reactors at the DNGS to enable the continued…