Moldmaking Report: The Canadian Association of Moldmakers Trade Fair

The Canadian Association of Moldmakers held its 4th Moldmaker Trade Fair in November at the Windsor Casino, with a record number of table-top exhibitors participating. There were 77 exhibitors this year, up from 50 for the first show, according to Mike Hicks, DMS Canada Ltd., one of the show’s chief organizers.

“We think we finally got it right,” said Hicks, noting that the original show was considered an experiment as a way to raise visibility and funds for CAMM. “We made a few mistakes along the way but learned from them. The response to this year’s show has been fantastic.”

This year’s show included seminars on advanced 3D digitizing techniques, presented by Applied Precision Inc., and the selection of steels for injection molds, presented by ThyssenKrupp Specialty Steels.

News from the show….

* Claims under the SR&ED are up 300% in the last three years, according to Al Gordon, Canada Revenue Agency. A claim can amount to tax credits equivalent to up to 35% of the total cost of the tool. Moldmakers which qualify for the federal tax credit are also eligible for provincial tax credits. The increase in the number of SR & ED claims is the result of the adjustment and clarification of the rules of eligibility, and greater publicity and awareness of the program among moldmakers and other suppliers in the manufacturing sector.

* “It (SR &ED) used to be just for big companies,” said Gordon. “Now the majority of the companies filing claims are smaller enterprises.”

* ThyssenKrupp has introduced a new cast aluminum plate, ACP 5080R, to the North American market. According to Robert Mang, ThyssenKrupp North American product manager, non-ferrous products, the aluminum has a number of advantages over conventional aluminum, including high tensile strength, better weldability, excellent polishing properties and machinability. The aluminum is also offered in thicker and wider dimensions than other grades of aluminum, opening it up to use in larger part applications.

* “This aluminum is the aluminum of choice in Europe,” said Mang. “The European arm of Visteon has been using it for some time.”

* At least one Canadian moldmaker, Windsor Mold, has opened a shop in the state of Tennessee, according to Robert Bathgate, director, Canadian office, State of Tennessee Economic and Community Development. Bathgate said more Canadian plastics companies are investigating the viability of opening subsidiaries in a region with a growing automotive customer base. Tennessee is home to three automotive assembly plants, one Saturn and two Nissan facilities. There are seven automotive OEM assembly plants between the nearby states of Kentucky, South Carolina and Alabama.

* “Companies have to be near their customers these days,” said Bathgate. “Our directive is two-way, to help Canadian companies come to Tennessee, and help Tennessee companies seeking to expand to Canada.”