Category
COVID-19
North American plastics machinery shipments up in Q2, report says
The preliminary estimate of shipments value from reporting companies totaled a 4% increase over the first quarter of 2020, the Plastics Industry Association says, when shipments decreased 19.8% from the previous quarter.
Canadian economy posted record drop in Q2 due to COVID-19, StatCan says
The decline is the steepest since quarterly data were first recorded in 1961, with almost every single component of the economy that works into calculating GDP at its lowest point over April, May, and June.
Big majority of small business owners still worry about economy, survey finds
Also, sixty per cent of respondents to the latest Canadian Federation of Independent Business survey say they fear consumer spending will stay low even after the COVID-19 pandemic ends.
Heavy truck sales in Canada should rebound quickly, report says
The Canadian heavy truck industry has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, a new report from Scotiabank says, but sales should shift back into positive growth territory in 2021.
Feds invest $7.8 million in three Ontario plastics product makers
The investment is being made through the FedDev Ontario program, and will help the companies scale up and increase capacity during the pandemic.
Moldmakers, manufacturers focusing on diversification, profitability, survey says
Results from the latest survey by the Canadian Association of Moldmakers and Automate Canada show that diversification plans are a priority as many manufacturers rebound from the initial shock of the COVID-19 pandemic.
3M to make N95 masks at Brockville, Ont. plant
The company will produce as many as 100 million N95 masks a year following a roughly $70-million agreement with the federal and Ontario governments.
Ontario opens new O-AMP funding round for auto parts companies
The province is making available $10-million in additional funding for applications for the Ontario Automotive Modernization Program, which provides auto parts companies with funding to invest in new technologies and innovation.
Expoplast 2020 cancelled, replacement virtual event scheduled for November-December
The next Expoplast in-person show is now scheduled for Nov. 9-10, 2022, at the Palais des congrès de Montreal.
Canada-U.S. to extend non-essential border restrictions until Sept. 21
The restrictions were set to expire Aug. 21 but are being extended as the U.S. grapples with fresh COVID-19 outbreaks across the country.
WSIB moves repayment schedule for COVID-19 deferrals to January
The financial relief package remains available to Ontario businesses until August 31, 2020, allowing businesses to defer premium reporting and payments between March to August interest-free and without penalty.
Sumitomo (SHI) Demag reports machine orders up during COVID-19 crisis
Demand from the packaging and medical technology sectors largely is driving growth, the injection molding machine maker said.
Windsor-Essex moving into Stage 3 of Ontario’s reopening plan on Aug. 12
COVID-19 outbreaks among migrant workers on farms in the region had previously held Windsor-Essex back from Stage 3.
Bad start to the year for Italian machinery industry, association says
Declining imports and exports caused by the COVID-19 pandemic created losses for the Italian rubber and plastics machinery industry during the first three months of 2020, with full recovery unlikely before 2022, according to new figures from trade association Amaplast.
Magna’s Q2 results take big hit from COVID-19 auto production shutdowns
The Aurora, Ont.-based auto parts maker says the impact was far worse than the quarterly declines during the 2008-2009 financial crisis.
GM accelerates its 3D printing capability
The transformation powered by additive manufacturing is helping GM move faster, cut costs, and produce safer, lighter-weight manufacturing aids.
Scoring with a new touchless golf ball retrieval system
The made-in-Ontario Mully Cup effectively eliminates the pole-golfer contact, reducing the spread of COVID-19. And it could become the new normal on the greens even after the pandemic.
Ineos Styrolution Canada donates to Ontario mental health service organizations
The material supplier has donated $17,000 to St. Clair Child & Youth Services and Canadian Mental Health Association Lambton Kent to fund virtual, mental health programs for their communities.
Pack Expo cancelled
Show sponsor PMMI Media Group is launching a new live, web-based event called Pack Expo Connects 2020 that will run from Nov. 9-13.
Canadian auto sales posted another rebound in July, Scotiabank says
U.S. auto sales also continued to climb back in July, Scotiabank reported in its latest Auto News Flash.
Small business sales struggle after COVID-19 reopening, CFIB survey says
Only one in four small businesses in Canada are back to making normal sales and only 39% are fully staffed, the CFIB survey shows.
CECRA rent relief program extended another month
To receive the rent assistance, businesses will not have to prove a 70% decline in sales for July or August, but will have to show a 70% revenue shortfall that qualified them for CECRA in April, May, and June.
Ontario regions of Toronto, Peel moving to Stage 3 on July 31
Windsor-Essex region will remain in Stage 2, the Ontario provincial government said.
U.S GDP falls by 9.5 per cent in second quarter
The drop is the largest quarterly drop in recorded history.
Feds announce $3 million to support B.C. tech companies
The money for small- and mid-sized businesses is part of the $304-million Regional Relief and Recovery Fund for Western businesses.
Join us for Automate to Innovate Virtual Summit on Wednesday!
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Orders for big ticket manufactured goods in U.S. up 7.3% in June
The U.S. Commerce Department said that the June gain in durable goods orders follows an even bigger 15.1% increase in May.
Canadian Plastics podcast: Resin supply, demand and pricing during COVID-19, Part 6: PET
Resin supply, demand and pricing during COVID-19 – A…
Fakuma 2020 cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns
The next staging of the annual international trade fair in Friedrichshafen, Germany is scheduled for Oct. 12-16, 2021.
Retail sales bounced back 18% in May, StatCan says
Sales of cars and car parts saw a 66% increase in sales during May, the agency said.
Canadian Plastics podcast: Resin supply, demand and pricing during COVID-19, Part 5: Engineering resins
Resin supply, demand and pricing during COVID-19 – A…
Domo Chemicals to “minimize participation” at Fakuma 2020
The nylon 6 and 6,6 supplier said it will not actively participate in Fakuma but will be present through an onsite contact desk at the event.
