{"id":261786,"date":"2020-07-15T22:52:13","date_gmt":"2020-07-16T02:52:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/?p=261786"},"modified":"2020-07-15T23:12:03","modified_gmt":"2020-07-16T03:12:03","slug":"molded-precision-components-aids-in-canadas-covid-19-response-while-supporting-youth-employment-in-oro-medonte","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/2020\/07\/15\/molded-precision-components-aids-in-canadas-covid-19-response-while-supporting-youth-employment-in-oro-medonte\/","title":{"rendered":"Molded Precision Components aids in Canada\u2019s COVID-19 response while supporting youth employment in Oro-Medonte"},"content":{"rendered":"
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With that same recognition, Oro-Medonte-based Molded Precision Components (MPC) is supporting youth employment and skills development as it harnesses innovative technologies to aid Canada\u2019s fight against COVID-19. (Photo: CIC News)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As nations around the world celebrate\u00a0World Youth Skills Day<\/a>, the Government of Canada recognizes that the future of southern Ontario\u2019s economy relies on the talent and skills of our young people.<\/p>\n

With that same recognition, Oro-Medonte-based\u00a0Molded Precision Components<\/a>\u00a0(MPC) is supporting youth employment and skills development as it harnesses innovative technologies to aid Canada\u2019s fight against COVID-19. MPC has a strong collaborative partnership with Georgian College through various R&D, design and engineering projects, and sits on the college\u2019s advisory boards to support program development. Leveraging this strong partnership, MPC employs 65 co-op students, as well as other youth, visible minorities and newcomers as part of its commitment to diversity. MPC offers internships, co-ops, apprenticeships and training programs to support these workers to develop technical skills that position them for meaningful skilled employment.<\/p>\n

Today, the Honourable M\u00e9lanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), announced a\u00a0FedDev Ontario<\/a>\u00a0contribution of up to $2.9 million for Molded Precision Components to support the company\u2019s expanded use of its transformative Cube Injection Molding System (CIMS) technology. This funding will be used to expand MPC\u2019s production facility by 45,000 sq. ft. and to purchase three Cube-Injection Molding Systems over the next four years. This new technology produces complex molded parts for the medical and automotive industries twice as fast as traditional methods.<\/p>\n

Pivoting to support COVID-19 relief efforts<\/h3>\n

When the COVID-19 global pandemic struck in March 2020, orders from the automotive sector essentially stopped for MPC. However, MPC saw this as an opportunity to collaborate with leading medical equipment contract manufacturer Sterling Industries and pivot its operations to produce much-needed personal protective equipment. MPC was able to combine its new CIMS technology, developed in collaboration with Niigon Machines Ltd., with Sterling\u2019s engineering expertise to produce Health Canada-approved Shield-U protective face shields. Today, MPC has pivoted its operations to include manufacturing of over 27 million medical face shields for the protection of health-care workers in Canada and abroad. With this shift, MPC has been able to keep its team of 55\u00a0people employed, while adding 40 permanent and 65 student positions since March.<\/p>\n

Global growth, local impact<\/h3>\n

MPC is planning to increase its production capacity of face shields to 450,000 per day. Through its new CIMS technology, MPC will be able to achieve more cost-efficient production of face shields in the future. MPC also expects that its strong collaborative relationships within southern Ontario, including with 12 local businesses, will strengthen the local supply chain, laying the foundation for further growth. The company is committed to supporting local jobs and youth employment in Oro-Medonte, especially in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Quotes<\/h2>\n

\u201cWe are very proud of Canadian companies like Molded Precision Components that are answering the call to action to provide critical support to our country during this fight against COVID-19, all while supporting youth employment and creating skilled jobs in our communities. On World Youth Skills Day, I am pleased to announce our support for this company that is committed to helping youth in their community succeed.\u201d
\n– The Honourable M\u00e9lanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cStrong businesses in rural communities like Oro-Medonte are vital to regional economies, and to the success of our young people. With MPC\u2019s expansion, its contribution to the fight against COVID-19 and its ability to mobilize the community through collaboration, it is a clear example of why investments like this are so important for the local community, the region, and Canada as a nation. As our businesses work to recover, FedDev Ontario is working closely with communities and companies to restore key sectors that require additional support.\u201d
\n–\u00a0 Kate Young, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cCollaboration has and will continue to be absolutely essential in the future success of MPC and Canada\u2019s businesses as a whole. FedDev Ontario has been and continues to be one of our key collaborators.\u201d
\n– David Yeaman, President, Owner, CEO, Molded Precision Components<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Quick facts<\/h2>\n