Canadian Consortiums

Typically, Canadian consortiums are non-profit alliances of companies that organize shared learning and peer discussions to help each other work toward world class performance. Most have mailing lists or websites that detail upcoming high performance manufacturing workshops and seminars. Often, these events are open to non-consortia members. Please contact a consortium in your area to determine the resources that are available.

• Alliance for Enterprise Excellence (AfEE) (Ontario)
  A southwestern Ontario-based consortium of manufacturers which exists to help its members exchange and apply lean thinking and best practices to increase the excellence of their enterprises. Members believe that the leveraging of member resources will enable them to increase their ability to compete and win in the global marketplace.
• Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC) (Canada-wide)
  EMC is a unique not-for-profit organization of manufacturers, incorporated to facilitate member development of manufacturing best practices and improved competitiveness, as strong networked communities of world-class businesses. EMC was founded during the mid-1980s and incorporated in 1997. EMC is responsible for providing primary expertise and services to more than 650 members participating through 45 regional consortia, encompassing 175 communities in Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. EMC member manufacturers represent all sectors of industry and the economic impact of EMC member initiatives is significant. EMC initiatives are benefiting manufacturers throughout Canada and include a world-class Learning Centre for Lean, Leadership, Health and Safety and Human Capital best practices improvement and skills development training, Member-Needs-Help information service, Safety Groups and more.
• High Performance Manufacturing Consortium (HPM) (Ontario)
  Based in southwestern Ontario, HPM's members participate as a leveraged learning network to accelerate the journey to World Class. Weekly HPM Newsletter promotes Lean concepts and training opportunities to members and non-members.
• Innovators Alliance (Canada-wide)
  Innovators Alliance is a not-for-profit networking organization for leaders of Ontario's fast growing companies. With 14 chapters across Ontario, members assemble on a monthly basis to discuss key issues and challenges facing today's businesses. Innovators Alliance membership provides opportunities for member companies to take their firms to the next level.
• The Lean Consortium (Ontario)
  The Lean Consortium is a grass-roots practitioner-based consortium located in southern Ontario. In operation since 1998, consortium members include Messier-Dowty, Morrison LaMothe, Eaton Cutler-Hammer, CTS Canada, Kraft, CGL, Nestle Waters Canada, Orenda, Alumicor and La-Z-Boy. The Lean Consortium also has a weekly two-page newsletter, Lean Thoughts, published by Kunst, that gives consortium event schedules and highlights timely topics or sharing of best practices and accomplishments within the consortium members or friends of the consortium.
• Manitoba Consortium for Continuous Improvement (MCCI) (Manitoba)
  A Manitoba-based consortium of SMEs dedicated to working toward world class performance. Members work together to leverage resources, share training and best practices, and exchange ideas.
• Manitoba Consortium for Manufacturing Excellence (MCME) (Manitoba)
  A Winnipeg-based consortium of manufacturers dedicated to working toward World Class Performance. Members work together to leverage resources, share training and exchange ideas. The goal is to grow MCMEto 14 companies.
• Manitoba Lean Partners Inc. (MLPI) (Manitoba)
  Was formed early in 2004 to facilitate the efforts of member companies in becoming world class through the implementation of lean principles and innovative business practices. It is a unique consortium with a mix of urban and rural based companies, along with two members from the government services sector.
• Ottawa Manufacturers' Network (OMN) (Ontario)
  An Ottawa area-based consortium of business professionals and companies committed to excellence in global competitiveness that share knowledge and experiences.
• TEC Canada (Canada-wide)
  An international organization of CEOs, TEC Canada is a membership organization that provides continuous learning and development for business leaders in a peer group setting. TEC Canada delivers a unique blend of business resources and personal support that helps to make the challenge of running and growing a business both fulfilling and worthwhile.