APMA and AUTO21 to host automotive conference

The Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association (APMA) and the AUTO21 Networks of Centres of Excellence have developed a program designed to link automotive parts suppliers with leading Canadian researchers.

The APMA-AUTO21 Annual Conference and Exhibition will take place from May 26 to 28 at the Hamilton Convention Centre in Hamilton, Ont. More than 800 members of Canada’s automotive component supply industry and research community are expected to attend.

“Our industry is evolving at lightning speed with competition coming from all corners of the globe,” said APMA president Gerry Fedchun. “The APMA partnership with AUTO21 for its 2009 Annual Conference is intended to lead Canadian suppliers to embrace and engage Canada’s research communities to help develop and design the leading edge products and processes that will carry the industry from such partnerships to ensure they leverage these opportunities.”

Conference sessions will place a strong emphasis on new powertrain and manufacturing technologies. The groups noted that as environmental issues and consumer demands evolve, advanced technologies, research and development will be critical for future vehicle advancements, and automotive parts suppliers will play a pivotal role in their design and manufacture.

“The Canadian automotive landscape is changing,” said AUTO21 director and CEO Dr. Peter Frise. “The sector faces numerous challenges but also unprecedented opportunity as the market shifts to new technologies. AUTO21 researchers are already helping hundreds of companies prepare for these new technologies, but there are many other firms that could benefit from such partnerships to ensure they leverage these opportunities.”