When it comes to Edmonton’s ambitious, dynamic and innovative manufacturing target market, it’s appropriate to misquote Buzz Lightyear, “Alberta, Canada, the world and beyond!”
From the intricate made-in-Edmonton precision components and massive pieces of equipment shipped to Fort McMurray’s oilfields, medical devices, intelligent farming equipment, digital products and clean technology for the energy sector, it’s undisputable. Stats and figures show that Made-in-Edmonton manufacturing is not only a vital part of the region’s economy, it is a standalone industry as well as a critical component to the success and growth of other industries.
According to Edmonton Global, the foreign direct investment (FDI) and international business development agency representing 14 municipalities in the Edmonton region, Made in Edmonton is a solid and world-respected credential, hard earned by Edmonton’s incredible array of manufacturers and manufacturing capability.
With annual exports from Alberta totaling $13 billion, the agency points out that manufacturing has cemented itself as an integral part of the regional economy, serving as both a standalone industry and a critical component to the success and growth of other industries.
The Edmonton region is home to an incredible array of manufacturers and capabilities and the region’s ecosystem is home to nearly 40 per cent of Alberta’s manufacturing output.
Edmonton Global enthusiastically explains that “the Edmonton region is a manufacturing powerhouse.”
“Manufacturing in Alberta, and particularly in Edmonton, continues to be a cornerstone of the province’s economy, contributing significantly to job creation, innovation and overall economic growth,” explains Terry Shaw, regional vice president for the prairies with the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME).
“According to our Manufacturing Alberta’s Future report, the sector’s impact is substantial. Some 5,000 manufacturers directly generate 7.6 per cent of Alberta’s real GDP and account for nearly one-quarter of the province’s outbound goods.”
He points out positive manufacturing trends, as well as some challenges.
“Over the last few years, the manufacturing landscape has seen some shifts. With advancements in technology and automation, productivity has generally increased, allowing for more efficient production processes. However, manufacturing has also faced challenges due to fluctuations in global markets, particularly in sectors like oil and gas, which traditionally play a significant role in Alberta’s economy.
“There has been a growing emphasis on diversification efforts though, to reduce dependence on volatile industries, leading to larger manufacturing sectors in renewable energy agriculture and food and forestry.”
Shaw acknowledges that Edmonton stands out as Alberta’s largest manufacturing region with a workforce of 51,900 and that Edmonton’s proximity to the oil and gas fields shapes its economic landscape significantly, particularly in sectors like fabricated metal products, machinery and petrochemicals.
“Edmonton manufacturing not only caters to the needs of the oil and gas industry, supplying equipment and services crucial for extraction, processing and infrastructure development but is also strong and diverse, producing essential goods for other sectors like agriculture, construction and mining and many other products.”
Manufacturing sector analysts and business leaders point out that, in some ways, manufacturing remains an overlooked and under-appreciated industry.
“Perceptions about manufacturing careers have definitely improved over the last few years,” notes Tracy Albert, owner and manager of Gambit Machining.
With a globally respected, 62-year reputation for machining precision, the successful company is respected for manufacturing parts for companies of all sizes, especially oil and gas manufacturers and companies in transportation and electronics.
“The reality is that manufacturers are now using the latest technology, provide opportunities for growth and pay well. Also, jobs are plentiful. As a result of this, there has been an increase in the number of people considering this field as a career choice,” notes Albert.
She explains that Gambit is a production machine shop specializing in small precision components that are shipped around the world.
“As an ISO 9001 Certified company, customers count on Gambit to provide reliability, precision, traceability and documentation with their manufactured parts. Manufacturing is extremely important for Alberta and the Edmonton region, employing thousands of people daily. The effect of this is exponential to the communities.”
Another example of made-in-Edmonton manufacturing is Arctic Chiller. For more than 25 years, the innovative family business has continued to grow and succeed as a leader in the competitive bottled water industry.
“Recognizing that bottled water is now the norm, the potential to expand your brand is endless,” says Tom Hygaard, Arctic Chiller’s president. “Yes, we are manufacturers but we are also experts in helping to identify the ideal promotional products and scenarios in which businesses make an impact with their customers.
“Manufacturing is hugely important for Edmonton business and for the local economy. We are focused on manufacturing growth and success. We have positioned ourselves for continued growth with our 60,000 square foot bottling facility and have a great deal of capacity to bring on new business. We constantly look to technological advancements to bring in new efficient machinery and new eco-friendly packaging – all towards evolving our products to mesh with consumer expectations and emerging trends.”
The company emphasizes its distinctive patented diamond bottle design and customized labels that make their bottled water an effective marketing tool. Hygaard adds that Arctic Chiller employs 30 Edmontonians and sources raw materials and services from local trades, suppliers and distributors.
While the momentum of local manufacturing is strong and positioned for growth, industry experts agree and caution about challenges.
“Throughout Canada and particularly in Alberta, the traditional obstacles in the supply chain remain,” Shaw says. “They are more like ongoing challenges that the industry has faced and continues to grapple with. There is also a strong need and desire to start addressing labour shortages by leveraging automation and technological advancements. The burden of high transportation costs, for example, also remains a challenge for manufacturing, impacting the overall cost of doing business.”
Manufacturing insiders agree. To boost manufacturing in Alberta, fostering collaboration between private enterprises and research institutions is crucial to drive innovation and technological advancements. Creating an ecosystem that supports entrepreneurship and small to medium-sized enterprises can further improve manufacturing capabilities.
By emphasizing innovation, talent development and entrepreneurship, Alberta can solidify its position as a leader in manufacturing excellence, ensuring continued growth and success in both local and global markets.
Shaw underscores the positivity, “With obstacles, there are always opportunities to find solutions and grow, which is evident in the pursuit of innovation in Alberta’s – and Edmonton’s – manufacturing sector.”
