Issuu

From pilot to production: Anthony Cacciatore shares how to avoid pitfalls and drive successful automation adoption. p. 8

THE STATE OF TRADE

What impact has 18 months of trade uncertainty had on the Canadian manufacturing sector, and is it too late to change the trajectory? p. 14

From seeing to understanding: How manufacturers can capitalize on Vision Language Models. p. 17

Your resource for Canada’s industrial automation news

FUTURE OF HUMANOIDS The buzz and investments surrounding humanoids are undeniable. But are they the face of manufacturing’s future? p.10

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September/October 2026 Vol. 41, No.3

DEPARTMENTS 4 From the editor 5 Automation upfront

The latest industry news, deal makers, and movers and shakers

COLUMNS 8 Robotics

CONTENTS

From pilot to production

22 Industry Watch Money Matters

NEW PRODUCTS 20 End-of-Arm Tooling 20 Cables and Connectivity 20 Machine Safety 20 Test and Measurement 20 Motors and Drives 20 Industrial Control 21 Power Transmission 21 CAD 21 Sensors and Vision 21 Software 21 CNC

ON THE COVER: © UMUT HASANOGLU / ADOBE STOCK

MANUFACTURING AUTOMATION MA_Murr_SeptOct26_CSA.indd 1 ·September/October 2026

COVER STORY

10 The new face of manufacturing? Dazzling pieces of technology for sci-fi fans and investors alike, versus a lack of use cases in Canadian manufacturing. Where does this leave the future of humanoid robots? By Jacob Stoller

14 The state of trade

While Canadian manufacturing has persevered through tariff uncertainty, is the damage already done? By Jared Dodds

17 From seeing to understanding Vision Language Models take machine vision beyond image recognition, but manufacturers still need to understand their capabilities and limitations. By Jack Kazmierski

AutomationMag.com 2026-08-26 2:42 PM3

FROM THE EDITOR BY JARED DODDS Your resource for Canada’s industrial automation news

Reader Service

A list of certainties

t seems foolish to write anything associ- for any successful negotiation is working ated with trade right now given the speed towards a shared goal, and being willing to with which the market is evolving. But give and take to get there. No one should walk the pull of the topic is undeniable to me. out of a negotiation room fully satisfied - that I have spent the better part of my summer is a tale as old as time. The same is true in talking about trade. thinking about the future of U.S.-Canada relations, what it will mean for the manufac- Take Paul Hogendoorn as an example; the list turing industry and how we can learn and of things he and I agree on in regards to policy evolve from the trials and tribulations of the and initiatives is far shorter than the things we disagree on, as he is apt to remind me at last 18 months. every trade show we attend. But But, to pull back the curtain, as this difference of opinion is why I write this note on Aug. 24, I don’t I value his time and insight. In have a strong answer. Trade talks No one should today’s ecosystem of social media have collapsed, additional tariffs echo chambers and resistance are coming and we stand on the walk out of a to bi-partisan collaboration, I brink of a trade war that would have negotiation love being able to sit down with been unthinkable prior to 2016. room fully someone I disagree with, hear I have written quite a bit about satisfied - that the state of uncertainty Canadian is a tale as old as their side of the argument, share my own and walk away wiser. manufacturing finds itself it, and, time It’s not always about changing frankly, I’m getting bored of it, as is the industry as a whole, which you can learn people’s mind but broadening your own. Valuing that meeting of the minds is a critical more about on p. 13. So, instead, I am going to write what I piece of the puzzle we need to get back to. My last undeniable sentiment is this: the am certain about. Let’s start with robotics: despite what investments may indicate, rest of the world isn’t stopping to watch a the industry is far more out than it is in on trade war, they’re pushing their own econthe adoption of humanoid robotics. What omies forward, and we need to do the same. started as a pitched story where we would Advancements like Vision Language Models, hold court and cover the pros and cons which you can read about on p. 17, are coming from manufacturers perspective turned fast, and we need to continue to adapt and into a story asking where in the world this adopt as necessary, or there won’t be a manutechnology would fit. The shift in focus was facturing industry to protect. This edition of the magazine, much like the required, as we simply couldn’t find a voice in manufacturing that was optimistic about last 18 months, is not filled with positives. I the introduction of humanoids. Don’t trust think it is important to determine and prepare for what is the worst case scenario. In that the headlines on this one, to be sure. Next, trade. Certainly a tricky one, but preparation, I’ve found paths forward, built through a summer of thinking about it, I’ve on collaboration, education and innovation. come to this conclusion: in a time where we The final thing I’ll add to my list of certainties feel most divided, finding common ground is this: Canada needs to move down one of is more important than ever. The baseline those paths sooner rather than later. | MA CONNECT jdodds@annexbusinessmedia.com

/company/automation-mag

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD JIM BERETTA, President, Customer Attraction and host of The Robot Industry Podcast JONATHAN GROSS, Managing Director, Pemeco Consulting MIHAELA VLASEA, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering and Research Co-Director, Multi-Scale Additive Manufacturing Laboratory at the University of Waterloo SHELLEY FELLOWS, Past-Chair, Automate Canada STEPHANIE HOLKO, Vice President, Regulatory Operations and Deputy Registrar, Professional Engineers Ontario WALTER GARRISON, Former Advanced Manufacturing Business Consultant for City of Mississauga

September/October 2026 · MANUFACTURING AUTOMATION

Print and digital subscription inquiries or changes, please contact customer service Angelita Potal Tel: 416-510-5113 Fax: (416) 510-6875 email: apotal@annexbusinessmedia.com Mail: 111 Gordon Baker Rd., Suite 400 Toronto, ON M2H 3R1 EDITOR

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AUTOMATION UPFRONT

Ontario launches Data Centre Playbook

The government of Ontario has launched a framework for its Data Centre Playbook with the aim of attracting data centre investments, ensuring Canadians’ data remains in Canada and delivering benefits to local communities. This framework will reportedly ensure data centres pay the full cost of electricity, with the government only offering non-financial support to attract investments. “Ontario has a choice: we can build the economy of the future and ensure Canadians’ data remains in Canada, or we can get left behind and risk Canadians’ data being sent to the U.S. and elsewhere,” said Premier Doug Ford in a press statement. “Through our new Data Centre Playbook, our government is choosing to build the economy of the future to generate billions in economic growth and create thousands of new jobs, while ensuring new data centres play by the right rules and pay the full cost of electricity. “Any data centre investment will need to invest significantly in local communities and pay more for electricity so no energy costs are passed on to hardworking families.” As part of the Protect Ontario by Securing Affordable Energy for Generations Act, the Ontario government enacted new authorities that will give the minister of energy and mines the final decision on which large-load facilities are permitted to connect to the province’s electricity grid, including data centres. With these enhanced authorities in place, Ontario’s Data Centre Playbook will only consider projects that accelerate economic growth with significant community investments, on terms that prioritize Ontario’s interests. The Playbook is anchored in three pillars to guide approvals for new data centres: • Advance economic development: projects that bring in significant investment, job creation and new tax revenue for the 6

province and municipalities, support Ontario and Canada’s domestic supply chains and help businesses be more productive. • Protect data security and digital sovereignty: projects that can advance Ontario and Canada’s digital sovereignty to protect critical data and safeguard people’s information. • Invest in communities and earn public confidence: projects that bring real benefits to local communities, significantly investing both financially and non-financially in host communities to drive local infrastructure developments, job creation and training and future economic growth. Non-financial supports used to attract data centre investments will leverage Ontario’s existing strategic advantages such as a clean and reliable electricity system, ample land space, cool climate and skilled workforce. The government will propose measures to address data centres’ impact on the electricity system by encouraging projects to build their own power generation and by establishing a separate rate class for large new data centres. Under this proposal, new data centres above one megawatt in size would pay a higher rate than the industrial rate program for large electricity users. With more modern data centre technology available today than there was decades ago, Ontario will only advance data centre projects that meet Ontario’s strict environmental standards around water consumption and

noise, prioritizing projects with closed-loop systems that use virtually no water during operation. The government is seeking public input through the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO) and the Ontario Regulatory Registry (ORR) for a 30-day public comment period which began Aug. 13. Input received through the consultation will help refine the proposed draft framework before the Ontario government releases the final Data Centre Playbook to support the broader upcoming AI Industrial Strategy that will lay a foundation to attract investment, support workers, protect intellectual property and build critical infrastructure. INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE

Manufacturing July PMI strengthens to highest level in over four years: S&P Global In July, Canada’s manufacturing sector enjoyed its strongest performance since June 2022, S&P Global Canada reported in the organization’s July Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) report. The PMI improved to 53.5 last month, as output and new orders increased at greater rates due to an uplift in market activity, albeit largely driven by the domestic market as international demand continued to falter. The PMI has now signalled four consecutive months of expansion and was driven higher in July by concurrent improvements

IMAGES: GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO, S&P GLOBAL

DATA CENTRES

September/October 2026 · MANUFACTURING AUTOMATION

IMAGE: CFIN

in both output and new orders. Both saw growth rates accelerate since June, amid reports from panellists of a strengthening of underlying demand and success in securing new work. However, tariffs and the war in the Middle East weighed on exports whilst also raising prices and adding to supply-side delays. Latest data showed that input prices rose to the greatest degree for four years. Worries over inflation and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty meant confidence in the outlook fell to its lowest since March. “PMI data for July painted a positive picture of current growth, with output and new orders both rising at faster rates on the back of firmer domestic demand,” said Paul Smith, economics director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, in a media release. “Companies were suitably encouraged to take on additional workers, raising their staffing levels to bolster capacity and help support current workloads. “However, whether growth can be sustained at its current clip is doubtful. International demand remains weak, driven lower by tariffs and a highly uncertain geopolitical environment,” Smith said. “Subsequently, confidence amongst firms in the outlook – and therefore near-term growth prospects – remains subdued, with sentiment in July its lowest for four months and well below trend.” Input price inflation accelerated again, maintaining an upward trend apparent since late 2025 to hit a four-year high. Companies reported that a wide range of inputs had risen in price, but the root causes were generally tariffs and the Middle East conflict with higher prices for energy, transportation and steel widely mentioned as core drivers of overall inflation. Higher demand added further strain to supply chains and upward pressure on prices, with manufacturers reporting an increase in purchasing activity for a fourth successive month. There was some evidence that higher input buying was designed to bolster stocks, which rose modestly overall. Immediate production needs encouraged some manufacturers to take on additional staff. That led to a net increase in employment for a fourth successive month. Modest growth helped firms to broadly keep on top of overall workloads (backlogs of work rose only slightly) whilst also providing a sufficient capacity boost for firms to increase their stocks of finished goods.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE

ROBOTICS

Food manufacturing technology has attracted over 41 per cent of industry investment this year: CFIN

FCC adds foreign-produced advanced robotic devices and power inverters to Covered List

Nearly 94 per cent of the $62.7 million in disclosed Canadian foodtech funding from this year has gone towards infrastructure investments, moving away from previous stalwarts like kitchen and restaurant tech, consumer apps and packaging. The data, which comes from the Canadian Food Innovation Network’s Q2 Sightline report, shows that $26 million, or 41.4 per cent of total investments, went towards food manufacturing tech, with food safety and traceability and next-generation food and ingredients coming in at $16.9 million and $15.8 million respectively. The report also examined several developments in Canadian food automation over recent months, which seem to show a shift towards scaling within the sector.

CFIN specifically highlighted Relocalize’s upcoming launch of an autonomous dark factory in Quebec, the acquisition of Vancouver-based Cibotica by Appetronix in April, which it called the sector’s first notable domestic consolidation and the introduction of Gastronomous’ ChronoGrill at the University of Guelph. The report noted the providers of robots to end-users in the food industry are primarily foreign, but that could change due to recent government announcements. “Ottawa’s new National Food Security Strategy, launched in June, is built to address the country’s well-documented food processing capacity and productivity woes, including up to $400 million for small and mid-sized processors, a $1 billion agri-food project-finance fund and immediate expensing for new equipment,” the CFIN said in their report. “Whether that public capital translates into the overdue, sector-wide adoption of automation and robotics tech is something to watch closely.” To read the full Sightline reports for Q1 and Q2, visit cfin-rcia.ca.

MANUFACTURING AUTOMATION ·September/October 2026

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has updated its Covered List to include two new categories of devices — advanced robotic devices and connected power inverters produced in foreign countries. The action follows determinations, for both robots and inverters, by a White House-convened Executive Branch interagency body with appropriate national security expertise, which determined that these foreign-made products, regardless of the nationality of origin, “pose unacceptable risks to the national security of the United States or the safety and security of United States persons.” The IFR reported in a release that the definition of advanced robotic devices may encompass a broad range of products, including service robots, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), humanoids, quadrupeds, and certain consumer robotic devices. Industrial robots like articulated, cartesian, SCARA and parallel robots are explicitly excluded. The determination included an exemption for advanced robotics devices and power inverters that the Department of War or (in the case of power inverters) the Department of Homeland Security have granted “Conditional Approval” after finding that such device or class of devices do not pose such unacceptable risks. The Canadian Robotics Council, in response to the updates, has called for a number of targeted government supports, including: 1. Reciprocal Waiver Pathways: Negotiate a carve-out for Canadian-assembled robotics under trusted North American supply chain frameworks. 2. Made-in-Canada Security Pre-Certification: Establish federal cyber and hardware certification to give domestic buyers confidence in Canadian-built robotics without requiring prior U.S. validation. 3. Supply Chain Transition Grants: Assist Canadian OEMs in replacing non-allied microelectronics to meet allied security standards. 4. Domestic Market Offsets: Implement tax incentives and procurement guarantees to ensure Canadian enterprise and public sectors procure Made-in-Canada automation first. AutomationMag.com

ROBOTICS BY ANTHONY CACCIATORE

Anthony Cacciatore is the founder of CAS Group and an industrial automation consultant and project manager with more than 12 years of experience. With a technical background as an electrical and electronic technician, his experience spans roles with ABB Robotics and KUKA Robotics, as well as commercial experience selling automation technology, including Universal Robots. He also participates in Canada’s ISO/TC 299 Robotics standards work, including WG3 on industrial robot safety and the ISO 10218 series, and WG12 on humanoid and dynamically stable robot safety.

From pilot to production

sion. There are a lot of reasons an automation project can stall, get pushed out, get cancelled or just plain fail. But in my experience, more often than not, the technology isn’t the real problem. I’ve spent the last 13 years around industrial automation, from electrical and controls work through robotics, distribution, sales and service. Working for three of the biggest global robotics manufacturers has exposed me to just about every application under the sun, including plenty of projects that stalled for reasons having very little to do with the technology itself. You learn pretty quickly that a capable robot doesn’t guarantee a successful project. After enough years in automation, you start paying just as much attention to what’s happening around the robot as you do to the robot itself. One of the biggest reasons projects stall is that the organization isn’t ready to make a decision. Before a project gets too far, manufacturers need to know who can say yes, who owns the project internally and whether that person can approve spending, make changes and allocate the people needed to support it. Projects can burn through months of engineering only to discover the real decision-maker was never properly involved. Without a clear internal owner with authority, technical progress alone won’t keep a project moving. Outlining expectations

Alignment is easy until it’s time to open the wallet. I worked with a manufacturer that wanted two robots and a conveyor for a packing and palletizing application. They had strict technical standards for equipment entering the plant. We spent months evaluating the application, technology and integration options before 8

Cost-cutting is a natural response to decreasing margins in this context, but it does not need to be the only response.

bringing forward complete solutions. Then came the question: Why couldn’t they buy a much cheaper robot and conveyor from overseas and have one of their internal controls people program it? There’s nothing wrong with lower-cost automation. The problem was that this solution didn’t meet the standards the company had established, and local support was limited. The project philosophy changed. They went that route anyway. A year later, one robot was sitting unused and the other was palletizing at roughly a quarter of the required speed, not integrated with the conveyor. This is why avoiding a stalled pilot has to start long before the purchase order. Technical requirements, performance expectations, support needs, budget and acceptable risk should be discussed upfront. If those criteria can be abandoned the moment the quote arrives, they weren’t really criteria in the first place. Cost matters, but purchase price and project cost aren’t the same thing. A lower-cost robot can become expensive quickly if it can’t meet production requirements, support is difficult to

access or your internal team spends months trying to make it work. Problem identification

I once walked into a plant where the owner was excited to show me a new robot and vision system he’d purchased after attending a major trade show. He’d gotten a great deal and wanted his team to figure out where they could put it. That’s the reverse of how automation should be approached. You shouldn’t start with a robot and camera, then hunt for a problem. Start with the business problem. Are you trying to increase throughput? Reduce ergonomic risk? Address labour availability? Improve quality? Reduce scrap? Increase consistency? Once you understand the problem, then you decide whether automation makes sense and what technology is appropriate. A pilot is much more likely to stall when the organization gets excited about technology before clearly defining success. Avoiding pitfalls

Before launching a pilot, you want clear answers to a handful of questions. What problem are we solving? What does

September/October 2026 · MANUFACTURING AUTOMATION

PHOTO: © PUG / ADOBE STOCK

he fastest way to kill an automation project is to treat it like a technology purchase instead of a business deci-

success look like in measurable terms? Who owns the project? Who can approve changes and additional spending? What technical standards have to be met? Who maintains the system? What does failure look like, and at what point would we stop? That last question is often overlooked. Companies are usually comfortable defining success. They’re less comfortable defining failure; but a pilot should have both. If the target is a certain cycle time, quality level or uptime, define it before the project begins. If you’re six months in and still nowhere close, that should trigger a discussion rather than another open-ended round of spending. Further, if the pilot has already stalled, resist the instinct to immediately throw more engineering at it. Go back to the original business case. What was the system supposed to accomplish? Is that goal still relevant? Is the problem technical, operational, organizational, financial or process-related? Separate stalled projects into a few basic buckets: • Technology • Process • Integration • People • Economics • Ownership Sometimes the technology is the problem. Sometimes the upstream process isn’t consistent enough. Sometimes the integrator misunderstood the application. Sometimes nobody internally knows who is responsible for making decisions. Sometimes the economics that justified the project a year ago simply aren’t there anymore. Once you know which problem you have, you can decide whether to recover the project, reduce the scope, change the technology, bring in different expertise or stop altogether.

skeptical of robots, only to start identifying the next applications themselves after living with successful systems. That’s when the conversation changes from “Why are we automating?” to “Why are we still doing this manually?” An automation project shouldn’t just prove the technology works. It should prove

Stalling isn’t the end

Stopping doesn’t automatically mean the pilot failed. A pilot is supposed to teach you something. If it proves the application isn’t economically viable or the technology isn’t mature enough yet, that information has value too. The bigger mistake is continuing to spend simply because you’ve already spent. When automation is implemented properly, attitudes can change quickly. I’ve seen plants where employees were initially MANUFACTURING AUTOMATION ·September/October 2026

the business is ready to operate it, support it, justify the investment and scale it. That’s often the difference between a robot that becomes part of production and one that eventually ends up under a tarp. A successful pilot isn’t the one that runs on demo day. It’s the one that still delivers when the integrator has gone home. | MA

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AutomationMag.com 2026-08-18 10:20 AM9

FEATURE

Dazzling pieces of technology for sci-fi fans and investors alike, versus a lack of use cases in Canadian manufacturing. BY JACOB STOLLER

n July in Beijing, Chinese robotics firm EngineAI launched a freestyle combat tournament for humanoid robots. The robots’ agility, calculated moves and recovery from blows are astounding the

experts - one robot even continued to fight after losing its head. Financial markets are taking note – investment in humanoids is expected to reach $13.8 billion for 2026. The familiarity of the humanoid form gives the technology instant appeal – movements make intuitive sense to us compared with the workings of

other complex machinery. “I think we can identify with something that looks like us,” Sheldon Fernandez, AI strategist and founder and former CEO of DarwinAI, said. “That may be a psychology that we will eventually break free of, but right now, it is something that people know.” September/October 2026 · MANUFACTURING AUTOMATION

PHOTO:© UMUT HASANOGLU / ADOBE STOCK

THE NEW FACE OF MANUFACTURING?

In some scenarios, the humanoid form is ideal. For example, a humanoid could climb a high ladder in a refinery to replace a part, navigate a crawl space to fix a leak or walk through a 600-degree fire in an apartment building to conduct a rescue. There are also practical advantages in many industrial settings. As Fernandez pointed out, many factory processes have evolved for decades according to human attributes and abilities. “The process framework exists for a person between five feet and six and a half feet tall to do these physical tasks,” he said. “One of the reasons why a humanoid is so appealing is that it can slip into that process from a physicality perspective without reengineering the process. And in an industrial context, that reengineering could be quite costly if you have tens

of millions invested in infrastructure where the spaces, the lines, the heights, and all that are geared towards a human being.”

So why not manufacturing? Humanoid use cases in manufacturing, however, are still few and far between outside of the tech sector. “I don’t think the technology is ready yet,” Fernandez said. “Many of the delicate tasks that humans take for granted are very difficult for machines.” These deficiencies can be counterintuitive, as observed by roboticist and author Hans Moravec in the 1980s. According to Moravec’s paradox, playing chess or solving math problems require relatively little computation, while the sensorimotor skills that humans perform

MANUFACTURING AUTOMATION ·September/October 2026

effortlessly and unconsciously are extraordinarily difficult to replicate. One of the biggest challenges for humanoids is balancing on two legs. This requires a process called dynamic balance, which involves continuous prediction and adjustment to counter destabilizing forces. Again, very basic for a human, even a small child, but very complex for a machine. There are safety implications as well. A 50-kilogram robot could go hurtling down a staircase if a battery or actuator failed. The issue is now getting some much-needed attention – Nvidia recently introduced Halos for Robotics, a suite of collision avoidance software tools. Humanoids are expected to become more viable with improvements in physical AI – a branch of AI that allows machines to complete tasks in the physical world. World models,

$13.8 BILLION

The expectation of investment in humanoids for 2026.

AutomationMag.com

FEATURE

One-armed wheeled robots like this one from Teradyne may have more of a future in the manufacturing industry than their humanoid counterparts.

comes to robotics adoption. It is a serious issue.” The capabilities of a humanoid are overkill in many scenarios, and in automation, simpler solutions are often the most dependable and economical. “Managers care about robots that have solved actual problems and do so in a stable and reliable way,” David Brandt, vice president of R&D and chief technology officer, Teradyne Robotics, said. “We designed our environments to fit ourselves, so the humanoid form has some obvious advantages there. But in industrial settings, the environment is a lot less complicated than the general environment that humans have evolved to work well in. For example, in an industrial assembly line with a flat floor, there’s little value in having legs.”

Designing a better fit Some robotics are aiming to address these functionality concerns while still designing a robot with human traits. “Companies like Neura in Germany have something that looks like a humanoid, but wheels instead of legs,” Brandt said. “This removes all the dynamic stability issues of having legs, so it’s inherently a lot safer than walking around with a robot. It’s also potentially quite a lot cheaper to build.” That simplification can go further. “Why have two arms and a head if one arm is sufficient?” Brandt noted. “It’s just adding complexity that’s not benefiting anything.” Perhaps the holy grail for humanoid developers is the idea of the mass-produced general-purpose robot that can do anything from household chores to assembly line

September/October 2026 · MANUFACTURING AUTOMATION

PHOTO: TERADYNE

which provide robots with reference points based on the laws of physics, are one of the hot areas. The excitement about humanoids, however, may distract decision-makers from picking the low-hanging fruit, that is, opportunities for simpler and more mature robotic technologies that have a proven ROI. This is especially true in Canada, which lags the industrial world in robotic adoption. “Talking about humanoids is like talking about the bleeding edge of Industry 4.0 when we haven’t completely achieved Industry 3.0,” Pablo Molina, chief technology officer and co-founder of Canadian robotics provider Avidbots, said. “Aside from our automotive plants, which are mostly owned by non-Canadian companies like Toyota, Canadian manufacturing is at the bottom of the G20 when it

PHOTO:AVIDBOTS

tasks to surgery. The barriers that will have to be overcome to make this viable are far more significant than most people realize. “I think that generalized manipulation – the ability for a machine to do exactly what a human can do – is at least five to 10 years away,” Molina said. “As an industry, we haven’t solved many of the fundamental problems like pressure sensing, force sensing at the wrist and other points, individual finger strength, etc. Plenty of fundamental scientific problems remain to be solved. There is also the problem of making the humanoids attractive from the perspective of your ROI.” Accordingly, many robotics providers are focusing on special purpose machines. Some of the best opportunity areas, such as machine tending, welding and palletizing, are under-exploited, especially in Canada. Another common target is tasks that are dirty, dull or dangerous. Avidbots manufactures floor-cleaning robots that work autonomously and safely in the proximity of people in facilities such as airports, warehouses and shopping plazas. They do the work at a much lower cost than a humanoid could. “I don’t think you’re going to see a humanoid picking up a manual floor scrubber and pushing it around for three hours,” Molina said. The Kitchener-based company has sold over 1,500 robots, but only a small fraction of them in Canada. Another important factor is that

at least since the millennium, automation has rarely replaced humans. The MIT Industrial Productivity Center (IPC) found that most successful automation use cases result from what it calls positive-sum automation, that is, automation that helps workers become more productive. Zero-sum automation, where the cost of the automation is justified by reduced headcount, has consistently failed to generate a positive ROI, the research found.

Man versus machine “There’s a lot of discussion going on at the moment about AI and humanoids, and there’s a lot of anxiety about it,” Brandt said. “But I think people shouldn’t worry. Robots are not taking over the world. I think we will end up in a place where robots will continue to evolve as great tools

MANUFACTURING AUTOMATION ·September/October 2026 MA_Accutron_SeptOct26_CSA.indd 1

to help humans complete tasks and avoid dangerous, dull or repetitive work.” As companies take a closer look at work with an eye to automating it, they will likely gain a better appreciation of what humans are capable of. “Our brains and hands are incredible,” Molina said. “We have tens of thousands of nerve endings sensing pressure and temperature in our skin, many force sensing nerves in our joints, and very strong fingers. “When you lift something, your brain is dynamically adapting your fingers to get it to the right position. You’re making guesses about the position, center of gravity of the object, momentum of the object, etc. You’re making all these detailed predictions very quickly. That’s all going to happen in robotics, but it won’t happen overnight.” | MA

Rather than using humanoids, Pablo Molina sees robots like these as the more likely tool for dull tasks like cleaning.

AutomationMag.com 13 2026-08-18 10:24 AM

THE STATE OF

TRADE

While Canadian manufacturing has persevered through tariff uncertainty, is the damage already done? BY JARED DODDS

t the time of writing, it has been 566 days since the first round of President Donald Trump’s tariffs were introduced, changing the world at large and Canada’s manufacturing sector forever. In those 566 days, the Canadian manufacturing sector

has hardened itself, proving its resilience in the face of uncertainty and a lagging economy, only for a newly ignited trade war to begin the whole cycle again. For many, the tale of Donald Trump’s battle against Canadian industry is the whole story: a set of policies introduced by a

foreign leader which represents the sole reason the economy is suffering. What if, however, tariff pressure is just the latest in a long line of symptoms plaguing manufacturing in this country? What if President Trump merely exposed cracks that have been present for decades, and the weight of his trade policy is

causing them to expand at an untenable rate? S&P Global’s Canada Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index rose for four straight months from April to July, and the economy as a whole added a surprise 75,000 jobs in July, both of which should be signs of celebration, proving we’re turning things around. But two separate reports, the latest Business Insights Quarterly from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Statistics Canada as well as KPMG’s 2026 Manufacturing Survey, show signs of pessimism, a lack of confidence and a slowing of investment in the sector. “Generally, when you take a look at the macro picture, Canada’s economy is doing okay. It’s been pretty resilient during a period of lots of dynamic change,” said Patrick Gill, vice president of the Business Development Lab (BDL), which is responsible for the Business Insights Quarterly reports at the

September/October 2026 · MANUFACTURING AUTOMATION

PHOTO: © REALITYFORGE / ADOBE STOCK

FEATURE

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce report is more concerned with the slowing of capital investment than the transition of businesses to the U.S.

Canadian Chamber of Commerce. “So the big question is this: if Canada’s economy is okay, why isn’t there business investment?” In the face of an uncertain future with the U.S., Canadian manufacturers have assumed a stance of resilience. The question, then, is this: whether or not the federal government is able to finalize a trade agreement with the United States, is the damage already done?

In or out?

IMAGE: CANADIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

KPMG made headlines across Canada earlier this summer when it released its survey results, which stated that 42 per

cent of respondents have already moved production to the U.S. or are considering doing so. Of that number, 29 per cent have already moved some or all production, and of all those considering relocation, 77 per cent expect to move within two years. Anamika Gadia, national leader of industrial markets and a partner in turnaround and restructuring for KPMG, said these moves are tied to the level of uncertainty that has been present in the market for nearly two years, as business leaders look to abandon stagnation and make proactive decisions about their operations. “The results you are seeing

from our survey indicate that people are no long in wait and see mode, albeit that CUSMA negotiations are ongoing,” Gadia said. “They’re not necessarily waiting for the outcome of those negotiations to make long-term strategic decisions about their business.” The reason not to wait on trade negotiations is not, however, solely due to their uncertain nature. The survey found there are a number of structural concerns manufacturers have regarding the state of the Canadian economy, including corporate tax rates, the cost of living and housing affordability for employees,

“So the big question is this: if Canada’s economy is okay, why isn’t there business investment?” — Patrick Gill, Business Development Lab MANUFACTURING AUTOMATION ·September/October 2026

energy access and the number of skilled workers, that are driving business leaders away. Gadia reinforced their pain points, saying that while they have been common critiques from the manufacturing and business community at large for many years, the pressures associated with tariffs and trade uncertainty are beginning to break organizations down. Dennis Darby, president and chief executive officer at Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, said in a recent interview with the Manufacturing, Eh?! podcast that, while he sees transition to the U.S. as more of a logistics exercise, using customers and suppliers to navigate a complex market, he is hearing signs of fatigue from the industry. “I do know companies where the owners have said, ‘Look, I’m committed to Canada, I will eat the cost.’ But the problem is, the longer it goes, the tougher that is.” On first glance, the report from the Canadian Chamber of AutomationMag.com

FEATURE

Commerce and Statistics Canada paints a slightly different story than KPMG. Their findings show only two per cent of manufacturers are looking to establish U.S. operations, with another two per cent saying they are looking at acquiring or partnering with a U.S. firm. However, as in most cases, the devil is in the details here, specifically in the wording of the question. While businesses that operate solely in Canada are unlikely to move to the U.S., organizations that already have operations south of the border may be looking closely at shifting more production to what they see as a more favourable business environment. This means some of the largest manufacturers in Canada could look to move production, and the jobs that come along with it, to the U.S. based on the level of uncertainty between the two countries. KPMG’s methodology backs up this reading of the data. Of the 275 companies surveyed, 48 per cent of them make anywhere from $300 million to above $20 billion in annual gross revenue. Companies of that size, while not representative of the market as a whole, are far more likely to have multinational operations, making their statistic of 42 per cent looking to shift some or all of their operations to the U.S. far more feasible.

Show me the money Business relocation received the majority of the headlines in the wake of these reports. But, given the opportunity to pick up and move south for calmer waters is not a viable option for many smaller businesses, a more concerning finding from both organizations is the slowing of capital investment coming from manufacturers of all sizes. Statistics Canada reported that Canada spends 82 cents for every one dollar that other 16

“I do know companies where the owners have said, ‘Look, I’m committed to Canada, I will eat the cost.’ But the problem is, the longer it goes, the tougher that is.” — Dennis Darby, CME members of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) do on their workers. That gap widens to 55 cents per one dollar spent by the U.S. on their workers. This is not a new problem: from 2006 to 2021, business investment has decreased by 15 per cent per worker in this country, and Darby said we have “never really recovered either our productivity or our growth,” since the 2008 financial crisis. But we are seeing the pressure caused by tariffs amplify this gap. According to the BDL’s Business Investment Momentum Index (BIMI), which averages business investment intentions over the past six quarters, manufacturing ranks as one of the bottom three industries, with an overall BIMI of 0.6 and a CapEx score of -0.3. In addition, manufacturing has recorded the highest rates of delayed investment of any industry, with 10 per cent of organizations delaying over the next 12 months as a response to U.S. tariffs. “Businesses are still investing, but when you look at what they’re investing in, it’s really to maintain capacity, not to build it,” Gill said. “We not only have a business investment problem, we have a productivity problem. Our own central bankers have called it an emergency.” Whether those dollars are going south of the border, as the KPMG report suggests, or being

diverted to other areas of the business, every delay and spend allocation away from the adoption of advanced technologies sets Canadian manufacturers behind, particularly at a time where investment in technology like AI is exploding and robotics are beginning to build more of a foothold in North America. Data from the Association for Advancing Automation shows that robot orders increased 4.3 per cent in the second quarter of 2026 compared to 2025, with 2025 already representing a 6.6 per cent increase over 2024. This lack of investment will limit productivity growth and competitiveness, regardless of our trading relationship with the U.S., and must be corrected if Canada is going to keep pace with the rest of the world in the years to come.

Is it too late? Decisions are being made now which will fundamentally impact the future of Canadian manufacturing, not only by business leaders but by the government. Canada’s shift in industrial policy and renewed focus on defence spending is seen by some as a major opportunity to reignite growth and stabilize the reeling sector, assuming the dollars are utilized in the correct manner. “This is a pivot that we have not seen in a couple of generations,” Darby said. “But a lot of it will be, like a lot of things

that government do, about execution... If the current procurement system that we’ve heard horror stories about continues, it won’t work.” In addition, we are seeing manufacturers test other markets, with Darby highlighting that approximately 40 to 45 per cent of CME’s members are looking towards Mexico as an export option, with Europe coming in closely behind. This expansion of view will be important as we aim to diversify our partnerships. “Canadian firms make some really amazing things, and a lot of businesses don’t realize those things are in demand globally,” Gill said, emphasizing that we cannot simply go back to how we operated prior with the U.S. The reality, however, is the industry’s future is inextricably tied to the results of CUSMA negotiations. KPMG’s survey found that 86 per cent of manufacturers export goods outside of Canada, and, among exporters, 96 per cent say their products are CUSMA-compliant. If free trade between the U.S. and Canada collapses, it will signify a seismic shift in the industry. “If the negotiations do not have a positive outcome, I suspect we’ll see… perhaps an acceleration of some of these percentages [shifting to the U.S],” Gadia said. Manufacturing is here to stay. What we must determine is this: in what capacity? | MA

September/October 2026 · MANUFACTURING AUTOMATION

FEATURE

FROM SEEING TO UNDERSTANDING Vision Language Models take machine vision beyond image recognition, but manufacturers still need to understand their capabilities and limitations.

BY JACK KAZMIERSKI

rtificial intelligence (AI) is changing what manufacturers can expect from machine vision. Technology like Vision Language Models (VLMs) can interpret images alongside language and other information, allowing vision systems to go beyond traditional defect detection. While this capability shows promise in areas such as industrial inspection, quality control and robotics, the technology is still relatively new in manufacturing. For manufacturers, therefore, the bigger

questions are where can VLMs deliver a practical advantage, how can they be integrated into existing operations and where could their limitations create problems? “VLMs can understand images, video, text, diagrams and operating information together,” Chris Graham, founder and chief executive officer of Toronto-based B3 Systems, said. “They require less task-specific development than traditional systems and allow employees to interact with visual information using natural language.”

MANUFACTURING AUTOMATION ·September/October 2026

Graham explained that while traditional machine vision is usually designed for a specific task, such as determining whether a product passes or fails inspection, a VLM can describe what it sees, answer questions and provide context. “While traditional vision systems can detect that something is different,” he added, “a VLM can help explain what is different and why it matters.” Ed Goffin, vice president of product marketing at Pleora Technologies, put it this way: “Machine vision is really good AutomationMag.com

at detecting defects and irregularities, whereas VLMs can find the irregularities within those irregularities.” Goffin explained that VLMs are not binary. Things are not black or white to them. Instead, VLMs can assess conditions on a spectrum. For example, a product can have a certain defect, like a scratch. While machine vision can determine there is a scratch and that the product is therefore defective, a VLM can figure out whether the scratch it sees is going to impact the functionality of the product, or the consumer appeal of that product, before issuing a fail or a pass. That extra layer of information and the context surrounding it make a big difference.

No need for new equipment

Coding and training Another key difference between machine vision and VLMs is the amount of time and effort needed to get them up and running. “Traditional machine vision requires more engineering effort and coding time to get those models perfected and fine-tuned,” Goffin said. Moreover, once a machine vision model is in place and working, any changes to the product being manufactured, or the environment in which equipment is operating, requires retraining of the machine vision model to keep it working properly. Goffin offered the example of one of his customers who was getting different results from their machine vision model

throughout the day and couldn’t figure out why. After a lot of detective work, they finally figured out the two specific variables were confusing the system. The first variable was the operator of the equipment. While a taller employee was on the first shift, a shorter employee was on the second. The height discrepancy meant that they were each casting a different shadow on the production line, which confused the machine vision system. The other variable was the light coming from a nearby window. As the sun moved across the sky, and as seasons changed, the light from the window also changed, which further added to the confusion. “With traditional machine vision you have to account for all these changes and program around them,” Goffin said, “whereas with a VLM, although you still have to account for changes, it’s much easier to do so.” Chris Graham agreed, adding, “VLMs are useful for variable or unfamiliar conditions that are difficult to define with fixed rules. They are particularly valuable

VLMs are designed to turn plant-floor observations into better decisions, aiding manufacturers to move from insight to action.

PHOTO: CREDIT B3 SYSTEMS

Oftentimes, introducing new technologies onto the shop floor means installing new equipment. However, if a plant is already equipped with machine vision, adding a VLM to the equation does not necessarily mean investing in new cameras or new hardware. “You don’t need to replace your infrastructure,” Goffin said. “You can work with what you have. It’s not a rip-and-replace

situation. You can layer the VLM capabilities on top of existing applications.” One of the areas manufacturers do need to consider, however, is bandwidth. According to Goffin, adding a VLM can boost efficiencies and processing speeds, but only if the connection between the sensors and processor is able to handle the additional data.

September/October 2026 · MANUFACTURING AUTOMATION

when images must be interpreted alongside operating procedures, maintenance history, or production data.”

Looking beyond quality control While the leading applications for VLMs include quality and defect classification, Graham explained that VLMs are suitable for a variety of other applications, including maintenance inspections, root-cause analysis, assembly verification, reading gauges and control panels and operator training and guidance. The strongest return on investment, he said, comes from reducing scrap, rework, inspection effort, defect escapes, downtime and investigation time. “The value comes from shortening the time between seeing a problem, understanding it, and taking action,” he outlined. Andres Rojas, director of partnerships, Broader Public Sector at Vector Institute, noted a VLM can also take on tasks that it was not specifically trained to do. “Just as an example,” Rojas said, “a VLM can tell you when the floor is dirty, even though a floor will never be dirty the same way twice.” A machine vision model, on the other hand, would require a lot more training in order to understand all the ways a floor could look when it’s dirty, Rojas explained. And all that additional training and data input translates into a longer ramp-up time and higher setup costs. Rojas referred to VLMs as “generalists” that are more robust and more flexible than machine vision models. The latter tend to be very good at a narrow number of use cases. “So, depending on what you need, it may be more cost-effective to use a VLM,” he said. “The cost of trying a VLM is relatively low, compared to the cost of training your own computer vision model.”

PHOTO: PLEORA TECHNOLOGIES

Oversight still needed Despite a VLM’s ability to “think” for itself, and the comparatively lower cost of implementing a VLM solution versus training a machine vision model, Rojas warned that human oversight is a must, because VLMs aren’t foolproof. “VLMs can make mistakes too,” he said, “so you wouldn’t want to have a mission-critical task that fully relies on a VLM.” Chris Graham concurred. “VLMs are ready for targeted, supervised applications, but not unrestricted control of

Existing inspection lines can be upgraded to Ethernet or GigE Vision, without replacing cameras or motion control components.

production,” he said. “We are beyond the experimental stage, but manufacturers still need proper validation, controls, and human oversight.” As far as real-world applications are concerned, Graham said that a properly implemented VLM can help solve problems that traditional machine vision simply can’t. “A strong example is a system that not only detects a quality defect but also combines the image with process conditions, alarms, shift information and maintenance history to help determine the likely cause,” he explained. “The goal is not simply to detect another defective unit; it is to help prevent the next one.”

Future of VLMs Years ago, when Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT were first introduced, their capabilities were questionable. Today, LLMs have become more capable and reliable, although they still make mistakes. VLMs seem to be following a similar trajectory, suggesting a promising

MANUFACTURING AUTOMATION ·September/October 2026

future for the technology. Graham believes that multimodal AI will increasingly become a standard part of manufacturing systems. In the future, “employees will interact with plant information through text, speech, images, video, and diagrams,” he said. “AI will progress from describing problems to explaining them, recommending actions and eventually making approved, low-risk adjustments. The future is not a factory without people; it is a factory where people recognize problems sooner and make better decisions faster.” Rather than replacing conventional machine vision, VLMs may prove most useful when they are layered onto existing systems and used to interpret the information those systems are already collecting. The technology still has limitations, and there will always be applications where a purpose-built vision system is the better choice, but as VLMs become more capable, they could give manufacturers a new way to take advantage of the vast amount of visual and operational data already being generated on the shop floor. | MA AutomationMag.com

NEW PRODUCTS

TEST AND MEASUREMENT

VTUX Eco

NINVA Measurement Portfolio

Festo has released the VTUX valve terminal to address issues including excess weight, the wasting of compressed air through continuous vacuuming and undetected grip loss. The VTUX is a modular valve terminal that integrates pneumatic control, vacuum generation and I/O into a single platform mounted at the point of actuation. The product reportedly reduces compressed air use by up to 20 to 30 per cent while maintaining a stable grip, and eco functionality delivers up to 40 per cent reduction in compressed air consumption while maintaining the required actuator performance. festo.com

CABLES AND CONNECTIVITY RG-58 FAKRA Amphenol RF is introducing high-flex FAKRA cable assemblies into its portfolio of automotive solutions. These pre-configured assemblies are designed on RG-58 cable and deliver dependable mechanical and electrical performance in demanding applications with repeated movement, vibration and limited installation space. 20

They are ideal for automotive communication systems, GNSS/ GPS, telematics, infotainment and other RF-enabled vehicle technologies. These 50-ohm cable assemblies offer electrical performance up to 3 GHz and are engineered to maintain consistent signal integrity while exposed to repeated flexing and vibration. amphenolrf.com

MACHINE SAFETY ADAR One

Sonair is releasing what it is calling the world’s first safetycertified 3D ultrasonic sensor for human-robot collaboration, the ADAR One. Designed for autonomous mobile robots and industrial automation, ADAR One delivers 180°×180° 3D spatial awareness, detecting people and obstacles at all heights, eliminating the limitations and blind spots that define today’s 2D safety systems. Easy integration and a small footprint enable ADAR (acoustic detection and ranging) technology to be embedded flush into virtually any robot form factor, including humanoids. ADAR is rated SIL 2 (Safety Integrity Level 2) and PL d (Performance Level d) with a probability of dangerous failure (PFH) below 1.5 x 10⁻7 per hour. sonair.com

ABB has expanded its NINVA non-invasive temperature measurement portfolio with the introduction of NINVA Integrated, NINVA Remote and NINVA Compact. The new solutions are designed to address distinct application needs in oil & gas, chemicals, power and more. NINVA clamps directly onto the outside of the pipe, giving plant operators accurate process temperature readings without the need to cut, weld or maintain traditional invasive thermowells. Using the surface temperature of piping to infer temperature, NINVA reportedly provides the same level of accuracy and performance of invasive measurement devices without needing to install and maintain them. abb.com

MOTORS AND DRIVES Nano and Nano Plus

Copley Controls has introduced its compact Nano and Nano Plus module drives alongside a new capability to build integrated motor-drive assemblies to customer requirements. The Nano and

Nano Plus module drives are reportedly among the most compact high-performance servo drives on the market, sized for space-constrained applications such as robotic joints. They run efficiently to limit the heat generated in tight enclosures where there is little room to dissipate it, and they support a range of brushless, DC brush and linear motors over industrial networks including EtherCAT, CANopen and EtherNet/IP. The updated version integrates the drive and a built-in encoder inside the motor package, cutting interconnects, cabling and connectors while shrinking the overall form factor and managing thermal load internally. copleycontrols.com

INDUSTRIAL CONTROL MELSEC MX Controller

Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc., industrial automation division, has announced the release of its new MELSEC MX Controller, a next-generation control platform that unifies machine control, streamlines engineering and supports the growing demand for connected, highperformance manufacturing systems. Combining multiple control functions into a single device reduces system complexity and improves responsiveness in high-speed, multi-axis systems. With integrated networking and real-time communication capabilities, users can coordinate motion, I/O and data exchange within a unified control environment for

September/October 2026 · MANUFACTURING AUTOMATION

PHOTOS: FESTO, AMPHENOL RF, SONAIR, ABB, COPLEY CONTROLS, MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC

END-OF-ARM TOOLINGS

applications such as packaging, material handling and electronics manufacturing. us.mitsubishielectric.com

POWER TRANSMISSION Energy Chain

igus has announced a new self-supporting twisterchain energy chain that delivers reliable cable management through rotation angles of more than 600 degrees on compact industrial robots. This rotary module sits in a sag around the robot base; as the robot rotates, it lifts step by step to a new level, enabling full 360-degree rotation without colliding with the connector plate. No trough system is required; the chain can be opened on the inner radius for easier cable insertion and there are two available axes, one for small industrial robots and one for palletizing and handling robots. igus.ca

CAD

PHOTOS: IGUS, BACKFLIP AI, IDS IMAGING, FESTO, TORMACH

Backflip AI Copilot

Backflip AI has launched its AI copilot for CAD, powered by a new foundation model that converts 3D scans, STLs and other mesh files into fully editable, parametric CAD models. The copilot reportedly reduces the reverse engineering

work required to turn a physical part into a usable CAD model from $1,500 per part to $10. The model was trained to construct complex geometry by chaining together CAD operations, including extrude, revolve, pattern and more, resulting in parametric models with full feature trees that are editable in native CAD. The 3D Scan to CAD tool can reconstruct a mesh, check its own work, then iterate to improve fidelity and dimensional accuracy. backflip.ai

SENSORS AND VISION Nion ToF Camera

IDS Imaging Development Systems GmbH is expanding its 3D portfolio with Nion, an industrial ToF camera featuring 1.2-megapixel resolution and integrated depth processing. It reportedly provides highresolution and temporally stable depth information at 30 fps, even during rapid movements and in changing lighting conditions. This makes it suitable for applications such as logistics, automation and robotics. The measuring range of 0.3 to 7.5 metres covers typical industrial scenarios. The IP67-rated housing allows it to be used in more demanding environments. Power over Ethernet (PoE) reduces installation effort and cabling. ids-imaging.com

SOFTWARE

CNC Automatic Collet Closer

that enables robots to handle a range of items with custom programming. The software operates locally at the cell on a standard industrial PC with a connected 3D camera and automatically adjusts for mixed products without programming or template loading between SKUs. Deploying GripperAI involves standard integration steps, including mounting and aligning the camera, verifying usable lighting, calibrating the robot base to the camera’s frame and configuring the software’s pick parameters. For each sighted item, the software calculates a gripping point, selects a tool when multiple ones are available and the robot’s path control carries out the move. If a grip is missed, the system recalculates and retries, sustaining the operation rather than stopping for reprogramming. festo.com

CNC machine and automation tool manufacturer Tormach has introduced a new Automatic Collet Closer for its 8L Lathe, reportedly delivering faster part changes, more consistent clamping and improved workflow efficiency for machinists producing small, precision components. Designed exclusively for the 8L Lathe, the Automatic Collet Closer provides air-actuated clamping for standard 5C collets and integrates with Tormach’s PathPilot control system. Clamping force is controlled by regulating input air pressure, allowing users to achieve repeatable, adjustable part retention without the need for manual drawtube operation. The addition expands the capabilities of the 8L Lathe, a compact CNC-ready platform designed for prototyping, short-run production and toolroom work. tormach.com

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GripperAI Festo has introduced GripperAI, a universal AI-based software

MANUFACTURING AUTOMATION · September/October 2026

TO ADVERTISE Contact Kathryn Swan, publisher, at kswan@annexbusinessmedia.com or 647-339-4880. AutomationMag.com

INDUSTRY WATCH BY PAUL HOGENDOORN

Paul Hogendoorn is a serial entrepreneur who has built multiple manufacturing and manufacturing technology companies. He has been a regular contributing columnist for over 20 years. For more insight or information from Paul on related topics, please contact paul@tpi-3.ca or visit TPI-3.ca.

Money matters

are feeling the pain. Worse, perhaps, is the dependence this level of financial pressure creates to the very people causing the problem. Many manufacturers are reliant on government initiatives to get by, rather than the merit of their own hard work, the currency of the time Every year, for over 100 years. Every year, the same the same cycle: a depressed economy, promises cycle: a of investment to stimulate growth, indepressed creased taxes leading to higher prices, economy, less spending from clients as a result promises of and a depressed economy. investment You would hope, at least, for to stimulate accountability and an audit of every growth, ingovernment dollar spent to show the creased taxes value for the population. Instead, we leading to hear nothing, as funds continue to be higher prices, fed into public perception projects aimed at getting those in power less spendre-elected to continue the gravy train. ing from The buck used to stop with those at clients as a the top; now, it seems, the working result and a class has assumed that mantle. depressed So, what is the solution? To escape economy. the conditioning the government has introduced. To demand discernible outcomes, to expect accountability and to ask the questions no one else will. In short, to expect of the government what manufacturers expect of their business and themselves.

Households can’t prosper if they spend more than they earn, and neither can companies. This we all know from our collective working experiences. Why do we think it’s different for countries? It’s not. It is currently in vogue to lay all of the industry’s and the country’s economic woes at the feet of the leader to the south of us and the tariffs that have been introduced over the last year. I would argue, however, that his economic policy simply exposed the cracks in our system rather than causing them. Not only do we need a strong working relationship with the U.S. to survive, but we also need to demand accountability from our elected leaders for their actions that led us here in the first place. Too long have manufacturers shouldered the shortcomings of government policy. In order to move forward, policy needs to lift manufacturers up, rather than let them down. It’s always been popular to say, “show me the money,” but now I think we should start saying “show me the value,” and even, “show me the receipts.” Manufacturers always do and always have. It’s time our governments start following suit. | MA

September/October 2026 · MANUFACTURING AUTOMATION

oney matters – and no one knows this as intimately as manufacturers. In no other industry or segment of our society is the connection between time invested, energy spent, commodity converted and monetary output more direct or apparent. Manufacturing companies live it day in and day out, and so do the people that work in manufacturing; they understand. There’s an expectation that money does not change hands until there is a real, tactile and tangible delivery of value. The question, then, is how you talk to the rest of society and help them understand the bind facing manufacturers and other small business owners in an objective manner? How do you bring up a topic that most won’t want to hear about, but that far more should? At the end of the day, you can only write your opinion, share it with the masses and hope that someone benefits from reading it. That is what I will aim to do today. Throughout human history, there have been three primary methods to subjugate the masses to the will of the few: through military force, by imposed religion and through economics. In modern Western democracies, economic pressure has been the tool of choice. People work hard for their money (as they always have), but the money they earn today doesn’t have the same value (the same purchasing power) as it did before. One glaring reason for that is government spending. Government spending has ramped to levels previously unthinkable, and you can see the consequences of that decision reflected in the stock market. In 2020, the government spent over a trillion dollars in response to COVID-19. But as the pandemic ended, the spending did not. The government is projected to spend over $500 billion in 2026, the Canadian dollar is worth less now than it was in 2003, and families, business owners and the manufacturing industry as a whole

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