Machinery has been at the heart of Canadian agriculture for many many years. It shaped agricultural practices of the region and, in many respects, created the opportunity for rapid European settlement in the late 1800s. The agricultural manufacturing industry has progressively developed as an entity separate from that of commercial or industrial manufacturing.

Central to this evolution was the need to develop innovative agricultural machinery capable of meeting the challenges of the Canadian climate. This drive for innovation was critical to farmers who struggled with foreign equipment designed for smaller farms and less arid conditions.

The agricultural manufacturing industry has been inventive, imaginative and has blossomed. The industry now contributes approximately $5.63 billion dollars in sales to the Canadian economy.

Enterprise Saskatchewan’s Manufacturing Sector Team Update

The Manufacturing Sector Team has met four times since November 2008, with a mandate to identify both opportunities for, and impediments to, growth of the manufacturing sector in Saskatchewan. The Team will make recommendations to the Saskatchewan Enterprise Board of Directors concerning policy that will encourage an economic growth agenda.

Strengths, weaknesses, barriers, and opportunities for development have been discussed by the Team, with the help of other resource people. The scope of discussion has been wide, including topics such as location, infrastructure, work ethic, entrepreneurial skills, research and development support, tax and labour legislation and labour availability. Transportation infrastructure, management skills development, financial services availability and integration of First Nations and Women into the workplace have also been reviewed.

The Manufacturing Sector Team of Enterprise Saskatchewan includes: Terry Bergan, International Road Dynamics Inc, Saskatoon SK Gerry Bourgault, Bourgault Industries Ltd, St. Brieux SK (AMC Member) Tom Foster, Industrial Machine and Manufacturing, Saskatoon SK Tom Kishchuk, Hitachi Canadian Industries Ltd, Saskatoon SK Gurcan Kocdag, Doepker Industries, Saskatoon SK (AMC Member) Brian McCready, Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, Edmonton AB Nathan Stobbe, Cover-All Building Systems Inc, Saskatoon SK Carol Vibert, Harvest Systems Ltd, Craik SK (AMC Member) Ray Malinowski, Leon’s Mfg Company Inc and Ram Industries Inc, Yorkton SK (AMC Member)

The Team is currently in the process of prioritizing the main issues that need attention and has proceeded to outlining the desired future situation and the main needs to achieve a better manufacturing environment in Saskatchewan. In early June the Manufacturing Sector Team hopes to make recommendations that will be presented to the Saskatchewan Enterprise Board, who will in turn consider recommending these to the Government for legislative or other action.