Economic Development in Winnipeg

Manitoba’s manufacturing sector embraces innovation and cutting-edge technology.

The industries in Winnipeg’s Advanced Manufacturing cluster use leading-edge processes, materials, technologies and manufacturing methods to transform raw materials into marketable end products.

The industries who use Advanced Manufacturing Technology are not limited to a single industrial sector. They include industries as varied from aerospace manufacturing to biotech and information technology:

• Aerospace - advanced aircraft structures and materials, engine development and supply chain development
• Automotive - advanced materials and processes (lightweight materials, composites, surfaces), fuel cells and biomaterials
• Construction - sustainability and productivity improvement
• Information and communication technology - sensors, semiconductor devices, battery and electronic materials, e-enabled society
• Materials and manufacturing engineering - value-added metals (aluminum, high performance alloys, improved in-service material performance/surface coatings, polymers and composites
• Pharma/biotech - pharma discovery to commercialization, targeted biotech applications, diagnostics and medical devices
• Agriculture - biosourced material for energy and industrial feedstock and bioactives
• Chemicals - added-value biosourced materials
• Electronic instruments - innovative sensing technologies (oceans, astronomy, environment and medical diagnostics)

Advanced manufacturing industries enjoy several strong infrastructure supports, such as the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters – Manitoba Division. With over 500 members, it is the main industry organization which provides a wide range of services targeted to industry and a comprehensive network of public and private R&D facilities.

These include the University of Manitoba Smartpark, home to the Industrial Technology Centre (ITC) -- a technology commercialization centre solving technical issues for Manitoba companies, and the Composites Innovation Centre -- the only composite and research commercialization centre in Western Canada, as well as other specialized research and testing labs.

Winnipeg’s three universities also offer undergraduate and graduate programs in the fields of pure and applied sciences and engineering, as well as diploma and apprentice college-level programs which are essential for the supply of specialized technical and professional workers.

Winnipeg’s advanced manufacturing cluster produces a diverse range of high-value, design and engineering-intensive goods for international markets. The industry is comprised of several large and medium sized Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM’s) plus many suppliers of components and specialized services, which together produce:

• Aerospace parts and products, including aircraft and engines
• Inter- and intra-city buses, motor homes, fire engines, step vans and a wide range of semi-trailers
• Specialized equipment and large storage tanks for the agricultural industry and the oil and gas industry
• Custom engineered and fabricated products for specialized needs
• Laminated plastic packaging products
• Application engineering and system integration
• Advanced design, modeling, remanufacturing and prototype manufacturing
• Precision machining and precision sheet metal fabrication of high strength metals and alloys
• Designer finished home renovation kitchen cabinets, counters and high end home furniture

For more information, contact a Economic Development Winnipeg team member or one of these organizations:

Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (Manitoba)
Manitoba Aerospace
Composites Innovation Centre
Vehicle Technology Centre Inc. (VTC)