50th Anniversary Founders Tribute

Our History

AMC celebrates over 50 years of history starting in 1969 – here are our Memorable Moments over the past five decades!

1920 to 2020 - Memorable Moments in the History of AMC
1969
Industrial Development Officer Bart Drope from the Saskatchewan Department of Industry and Commerce chaired a meeting that led to the foundation of PIMA.
1970s 
1970
PIMA was founded at the end of February. Manufacturers now had a platform to share their challenges and successes. PIMA's first annual convention was held in Fort Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan, with 39 attendees from the prairie provinces.
 
1972
The first PIMA newsletter, Factory Action, was distributed. The association was invited to appoint two representatives to the University of Saskatchewan's Automation in the Agricultural Industry program.
 
1973
Work started on lobbying provincial governments to implement a uniform commercial code, like those in many American states. Work also started to urge fair legislation to all segments of the industry to protect PIMA's small manufacturers.
 
1975
The 5th annual convention was held in Winnipeg and included information sessions and tours of plants. The PIMA Pulse replaced Factory Action as the association's newsletter and was published monthly thanks to financial backing from the Morris Rod-Weeder Company. PIMA also hired its first fulltime manager in August, Ivan Thue.
 
1977
The annual convention added its first-ever trade show and the association hired its first full-time secretary.
 
1979
The annual convention was held in Winnipeg. The last several years were exceptionally good ones for prairie farmers and as a result over 400 delegates attended.
1980s 
1980
The 10th anniversary convention was held in Regina with 535 people attending a celebratory banquet.
 
1981
After five years of campaigning, a complete overhaul of the excise tax classification system for farm equipment was finalized. A reduction in the levies from the Saskatchewan Workers' Compensation Board was realized for farm machinery manufacturers.
 
1983
A group of PIMA members travelled to France to display their products at the Salon International de la Machine Agricole. Several steps were taken to open international markets.
 
1985
A video program, sponsored by PIMA and the Federal Department of Regional Industry Expansion, was launched to help 53 PIMA members increase export sales using professional videos of their products. Years of advocacy started to pay off with a reduction in workers' compensation rates in Alberta.
 
1987
A discussion on changing the association's name was raised but rejected by members.
 
1989
A strong advocacy push was initiated to pressure the Canadian and American governments to remove the new U.S. Harmonized Customs System. The American government had imposed a special duty on traditionally tariff-free agricultural equipment products. PIMA and the Canadian government signed a memorandum of understanding committing them to work together in developing three critical areas – new product development, improved productivity, and new market development. PIMA also elected its first female president, Adeline Morris from Morris Industries.
1990s 
1990
"Celebration of the Future" was the theme for the 20th anniversary convention, which was held in Calgary. PIMA introduced the idea of using robotics in manufacturing.
 
1991
The association offices moved to Scarth Street in Regina.
 
1992
PIMA provided members with an overview of NAFTA to prepare them for the implications of the new trade deal.
 
1994
The association continued to work for more international markets, including Mexico. The 25th PIMA convention was celebrated with "Breaking New Ground" as its theme.
 
1996
The association launched its first website and actively encouraged members to do the same. PIMA also launched the magazine Implement Success.
 
1997
Trade missions were made to Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, and the U.S. The PIMA office moved to the Canada Centre building on the exhibition grounds in Regina.
 
1998
The PIMA welding program was adopted in Alberta while the same course in Saskatoon held its first Aboriginal-focused class.
2000s 
2000
The association began lobbying against dealer purity and was looking at a market in Northern China where larger equipment was needed.
 
2001
PIMA provided useful information for members on getting the most out of being a trade show exhibitor and creating an excellent website.
 
2002
Members received education on lean manufacturing and on exporting to various countries.
 
2005
The PIMA board unanimously passed a motion to move towards a new name, either CAAM (Canadian Association of Agricultural Manufacturers) or AMC, to better reflect and project a national identity.
 
2007
The name change to AMC was completed along with a new logo and website.
 
2009
The association focused on helping members market their products and worked towards the removal of American and Russian tariffs on farm equipment.
2010s 
2010
The association celebrated its 40th anniversary and encouraged members to connect with customers on social media.
 
2011
The educational component of the AMC convention and trade show was expanded.
 
2015
A strategic plan was developed and titled "The Voice of Agricultural Manufacturing in Canada.""
 
2016
AMC took its lobbying efforts to Parliament Hill in Ottawa to discuss its agenda and the importance of innovation and international trade in the agricultural manufacturing industry.
 
2017
Proposed changes to tax laws led to the formation of the Coalition for Small Business Tax Fairness. AMC joined forces with several other organizations for the initiative.
 
2019
"Re!magination Spotlight" was added to Implement Success to share member success stories highlighting the changing manufacturing landscape.
2020 
 
AMC celebrated its 50th anniversary – a time to reflect on the association's history and look ahead to the future.
 
 
AMC provides resources to members to help them adapt and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Terms Of UsePrivacy StatementCopyright 2024 by Agricultural Manufacturers of Canada (AMC)
Back To Top