Industry Research and Development Centres

Some of the significant Canadian private research and development centres are listed below.

These projects may involve university and government collaboration.

ABC Group
Ballard Power Systems Inc.
Centre for Automotive Materials and Manufacturing
Fishercast Division of Fisher Gauge Ltd.
Fishertech Division of Fisher Gauge Ltd.
General Electric Canada Inc.
GFI Control Systems Inc.
JIT Automation Inc.
LMI Automotive
Magna International
ORTECH Corporation
PMG Technologies Test and Research Center

The ABC Group of Companies is a Canadian-based international manufacturer and a world leader in plastics processing. ABC Group’s core business (an Automotive Tier 1 Supplier) is the design, development and production of plastic automotive systems and components for automotive O.E.M.S. worldwide.

Ballard Power Systems Inc.

The developer and researcher of proton electron membrane (PEM) hydrogen fuel cells that offer potential for both remote stationary and mobile power generation. This firm is currently demonstrating their fuel cell in a bus and are highly sought after by major vehicle assemblers in their pursuit of the zero emission vehicle.

9000 Glenlyan Parkway
Burnaby, BC    V5J 5J9
Tel: (604) 412-3126
Fax: (604) 412-3131

Centre for Automotive Materials and Manufacturing

The Centre for Automotive Materials and Manufacturing (CAMM) is Ontario's multi-university and industy partnership dedicated to providing new knowledge and skills to enhance the competitiveness of the automotive sector through advanced research, development, and education. Building on the best available skills of the individual institutions, CAMM will bring the strengths of its university and industry partners together to solve significant problems in automotive materials and manufacturing and to educate highly qualified personnel for the automotive sector.

Initial core funding of CAMM came from Alcan Inc., Queen's University, and the Ontario Research and Development Challenge Fund (ORDCF). McMaster University has joined the partnership and over 20 automotive sector companies are particiating in CAMM research projects.

Fishercast Division of Fisher Gauge Ltd.

Fishercast-Divsion of Fisher Gauge Limited is a world leader in the development of small component zinc alloy die casting. Their customers include blue chip companies around the globe in a variety of fields, including the automotive, appliance, industrial control, telecommunications, power tools, hardware and electronics industries.

Today, Fisher Gauge is made up of two divisions--Fishercast and Fishertech. They employ the skills of more than 600 people worldwide. Employees apply their expertise at the five plants located in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada; Watertown, New York, U.S.A.; and Welshpool Wales, U.K.

Fishertech is a division of Fisher Gauge Limited, the world leader in molten metal injection technologies. Fishertech specializes in helping manufacturers solve small component assembly problems with their innovative Injected Metal Assembly (IMA) process.

The IMA process generates strong, accurate and economical small component assemblies with precise part-to-part consistency. Their IMA systems fit neatly into virtually any production line, and have been tested in thousands of applications.

General Electric Canada Inc.

GE is a diversified technology, manufacturing and services company with a commitment to achieving worldwide leadership in each of its businesses. GE operates in more than 100 countries around the world, including 250 manufacturing plants in 26 different nations. GE employs approximately 290,000 people worldwide. In Canada, GE has more that 150 sales and service locations, 12 major manufacturing plants and 10,000 employees.

GFI Control Systems Inc.

GFI has developed and certified multi-port gaseous fuel injection systems for specific OE propane and natural gas vehicle applications. The company has also developed "bi-fuel" systems (optional switch over to gasoline) for wider applicability and market acceptance.

100 Hollinger Crescent
Kitchener Ontario N2K 2Z3
Tel: 519-567-0270 Fax: 519-576-7045
Lloyd G. Austin, President

Through the products and services provided by JIT Automation, quick and economical implementation of "Just In Time" methods and technologies has already been attained by many North American manufacturers, allowing them to compete aggressively and profitably in the increasingly challenging global marketplace. As a preferred supplier to the "Big Three" and many other Automotive manufacturers since the early 80's, JIT Automation has become a world leader in it's field, particularly in the areas of "Total Quick Die Change" and "Total Quick Mold Change" systems.

LMI Automotive

LMI Technologies Inc. is a world leader in 3D Machine Vision. They provide non-contact vision sensors and systems for improved quality and productivity in industrial applications. Their commitment to the machine vision industry is underscored with over 100 issued and pending patents. LMI maintains a network of corporate offices, R & D laboratories and manufacturing plants as well as distributors and representatives in North America and Europe.

Magna International

Magna International Inc. is a leading global supplier of technologically advanced automotive systems. The Company employs more than 21,900 people at 88 operating divisions throughout North America and Europe. As one of the most diversified automotive components suppliers in the world, Magna designs, engineers and manufactures a complete range of interior and exterior vehicle systems.

ORTECH Corporation

ORTECH helps over 2000 customers each year bring new or improved products and processes to the marketplace through innovative development, technical problem-solving and consultation, and value-added testing and analysis.

2395 Speakman Drive
Mississauga, ON    L5K 1B3
Tel: (905) 822-4111
Fax: (905) 823-1446

PMG Technologies is a test and research centre, which has the facilities to serve a broad range of industries for different needs. Some of these include testing of motor vehicles to any required standard, testing of safety barriers and other roadside objects, testing and research for vehicle and equipment under various environmental conditions, track testing for durability, braking, speed, dynamics, etc, product presentations, driving schools, motor-sport events, and film sequences requiring special settings.