ReMAP Commends the Addition of Advanced Manufacturing to STI Strategy

TORONTO, Dec. 19, 2014 /CNW/ - The Refined Manufacturing Acceleration Process (ReMAP) congratulates the Government of Canada for its decision to add Advanced Manufacturing to its Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) strategy.  

ReMAP is encouraged by the government's continued commitment to sustain and enhance the nation's advantages in strategic areas that now include Advanced Manufacturing. The adoption of high-potential platform technologies that transform industries and yield strong social and economic benefits aligns with ReMAP's strategy to enable and accelerate the commercialization of electronics innovations.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper recently visited Celestica to tour five of the 38 labs and manufacturing facilities that ReMAP leverages across Canada. He was accompanied by other dignitaries including Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology); Paul Calandra, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and for Intergovernmental Affairs; Joe Daniel, Member of Parliament for Don Valley East and John Carmichael, Member of Parliament for Don Valley West.

During the tour, ReMAP showcased how Canadian investments in Advanced Manufacturing are playing a key role in supporting researchers' emerging technologies and companies of all sizes from an industry-led perspective. The tour included a demonstration of the collaboration between 7D Surgical, a start-up company, and other partners in the network, to commercialize their surgical navigation device. Celestica's microelectronics lab and Toronto operations were also highlighted on the tour.

"As products are being launched exponentially faster than ever before, the role of ReMAP is to accelerate time-to-market from researchers' innovative ideas and emerging technologies through to product commercialization," said Irene Sterian, Executive Director of ReMAP. "This announcement recognizes the importance of Advanced Manufacturing in Canada. Leveraging investments from government and industry partners enables the network to help to build and strengthen Canada's Advanced Manufacturing value chain and drive innovation."

About ReMAP
Refined Manufacturing Acceleration Process (ReMAP) is a business-led network that brings together industry leaders from across Canada in academia, research, innovation incubators and companies of all sizes to drive innovation for a global market. Working collaboratively, the network supports leading-edge research to advance new capabilities in R&D, product design and manufacturing to solve today's industry challenges. These capabilities are intended to accelerate the commercialization of electronics innovations – ensuring that Canada's investment in electronics technology translates into differentiated solutions for economic growth and job creation. Sharing resources across 38 labs and factories throughout ReMAP's 25+ partner network will help companies of all sizes lower cost, improve processes, and bring differentiated products to market – faster. ReMAP receives financial support through the Government of Canada's Business-Led Networks of Centres of Excellence (BL-NCE) program and its network partners.  For more information, visit www.remapnetwork.org.

SOURCE: Refined Manufacturing Acceleration Process (ReMAP)

For further information: Loretta Renard, Network Manager, ReMAP, 416-448-4155, [e-mail]