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Canada’s economy hit a speed bump in July. According to recent economic data, Canada’s GDP was essentially unchanged in July after growing for three consecutive months. While some sectors continued to expand, manufacturing, mining, retail and wholesale activity all weakened. For Canadian manufacturers, the message is clear: uncertainty is becoming part of the operating environment.…

Ontario’s manufacturing workforce is showing an interesting trend. The number of vacant manufacturing positions has dropped significantly, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the skilled-labour problem has disappeared. A recent Global News article looking at Ontario’s manufacturing workforce points to a continuing challenge: manufacturers still have difficulty finding experienced people in skilled trades such as welding,…

Canada’s economy has delivered a little good news. After a sluggish start to 2026, Canada’s real gross domestic product (GDP) increased 0.8% in the second quarter, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 3.3%. Statistics Canada also revised first-quarter growth upward to 0.1%, meaning Canada avoided the technical recession that had been a concern earlier…

The Next Chapter of Manufacturing Has Already Begun Every few months another tariff announcement dominates the headlines. The latest proposed 50% U.S. tariffs on many Canadian goods have once again left manufacturers wondering what comes next. While politicians negotiate, manufacturers still have orders to fill, employees to support, and customers who expect on-time delivery. Businesses…

Why Operational Excellence Matters More Than Ever The recent discussion surrounding 50% U.S. tariffs on Canadian products has understandably created concern throughout the Canadian manufacturing sector. Headlines often focus on the immediate impact of tariffs, but they rarely tell the complete story. Canadian manufacturers face a more complex equation than simply adding 50% to the…

The Canadian manufacturing sector is facing one of its most significant turning points in decades. A recent KPMG Canada survey found that nearly four in ten Canadian manufacturers have either moved production to the United States or are actively considering doing so. At the same time, many businesses have delayed investments because of ongoing uncertainty…

Manufacturing has always evolved. From blacksmiths shaping iron by hand, to assembly lines transforming production, to today’s computer-controlled equipment, every generation has embraced new technology to improve efficiency, consistency, and output. Walk through a modern fabrication shop and you’ll see machines that would have seemed like science fiction just a few decades ago. CNC machining…

Working Harder Isn’t the Answer Canadian workers have never been afraid of hard work. Yet despite the effort being put in across the country, Canada’s productivity growth continues to lag behind many of our competitors. The conversation around productivity often focuses on people, but the real issue is not how hard employees work. The issue…

For years, Canadian manufacturing followed a familiar script: raw materials left the country, finished products came back at a higher price. Globalization pushed production offshore where labour was cheaper, and many believed high-cost countries like Canada could never compete again. But the factory floor is changing. A new wave of manufacturing technology is rewriting the…

For years, advanced robotics in manufacturing felt like something reserved for science fiction, giant automated factories, autonomous systems, and intelligent machines doing work once thought possible only by skilled hands. Today, that future is no longer on the horizon. It’s here, and it’s accelerating fast. Around the world, manufacturers are embracing a new era of…

If you just read the headline, it sounds like a novelty: A humanoid robot ran a half marathon in Beijing… and beat the human world record. But that’s not the story. The story is how fast this happened. In 2025, the best humanoid robot took over 2 hours and 40 minutes to finish the same…

Chain rack

Canada’s labour market has hit a plateau, and for manufacturers, it’s less of a gentle cruise and more of an engine idling under pressure. A recent report highlights that after a year of U.S. tariffs and shifting population trends, Canada’s job market is now best described as “static”—steady on the surface, but with underlying strain.…

Manufacturing is evolving fast, and laser welding robots are stepping into the spotlight as a next-generation solution for high-precision metal fabrication. While traditional MIG welding has long been the backbone of the industry, laser technology is redefining what’s possible in terms of speed, accuracy, and material performance. What Is Robotic Laser Welding? Robotic laser welding…

Step into a fabrication shop today and you’ll still see robotic arms welding, cutting, and moving steel. But look closer. They’re no longer just following instructions—they’re starting to make decisions. This shift is being driven by a new layer of technology: AI in industrial robotics. And it’s changing everything from robotic welding to custom metal…

Why the right bracket isn’t just hardware… it’s insurance for your entire build. In construction and manufacturing, there’s a quiet truth: the smallest components often carry the biggest responsibility. Brackets don’t get the spotlight, but they carry the load, hold the line, and keep everything exactly where it should be. At Plan B Metalworks, brackets…

Manufacturing is entering a new era where industrial welding and automation are becoming tightly connected. Across fabrication shops and manufacturing plants, robot welding technologies are rapidly evolving, helping companies deal with skilled labor shortages while improving quality and production efficiency. Recent developments in the industry highlight how automation is reshaping welding operations and what manufacturers…

If you’ve spent years around manual welding, stepping into robotic welding can feel less like an upgrade and more like moving from a pickup truck into a cockpit full of blinking lights and unforgiving precision. The destination is faster, cleaner, more consistent production. The first few miles? Steep. Over the past few years, I’ve spoken…

Manufacturing is evolving fast, and robotic welding is leading the charge. With labor shortages, rising production demands, and tighter quality standards, more companies are turning to automation. Starting a robotic welding business in 2025 is not just a forward-thinking move, it is a strategic opportunity to serve industries that need precision, consistency, and scalable production.…

Robots used to live in science fiction, clanking around chrome corridors and plotting dramatic monologues. Now they live in your house, your phone, your workplace, and occasionally your vacuum cleaner’s existential crisis. The age of robotics is not arriving. It unpacked its suitcase, made coffee, and synced to Wi-Fi. Robots Are Quietly Becoming Roommates Most…

Introduction Industrial welding plays a critical role in numerous industries, including manufacturing, construction, and energy. Over the years, it has evolved significantly with the integration of advanced technologies like robotic welding and CNC systems. These innovations have led to increased precision, faster production, and more cost-effective solutions, benefiting companies across a wide range of sectors.…