Manufacturing Excellence Forum - Brampton, ON

8:00 – Networking Breakfast

8:30 – Opening Remarks

8:45 – Keynote Address – What Makes for a Physically and Psychologically Healthy Workplace by Dr. Peter Smith, President & Senior Scientist, Institute for Work & Health

Employers are increasingly interested in creating work environments that are safe, healthy and inclusive. This includes not only reducing or mitigating workplace hazards, but also creating environments where workers can thrive and be productive. In this presentation, Peter Smith from the Institute for Work & Health will provide an overview of the physical and psychosocial exposures in the workplace, how physical and psychosocial hazards can combine to increase both physical and mental injury risk, and discuss evidence-based approaches to assessing and addressing the psychosocial exposures at work.

9:15 – Networking Break

9:30 – Panel Discussion – Building Safer & Healthier Workplaces: Insights from Manufacturing Safety Leaders

This panel brings together health and safety leaders from across the manufacturing sector to share their experiences, challenges, and successes in building safer, healthier, and more resilient workplaces.

We’ll explore key themes including leadership’s role in shaping safety culture, the impact of wellness programs, effective communication strategies, and the evolving role of technology. Our panelists will offer practical insights drawn from their day-to-day work, with a focus on what’s truly working in manufacturing environments.

This session is designed to spark ideas, allow for peer-to-peer benchmarking, and support your efforts in advancing workplace health, safety, and wellness. We hope the perspectives shared here will lead to meaningful dialogue and actionable takeaways.

Panelists Include:

• Casey Deacon, CRSP, CSP – H&S Manager, Blue Giant Equipment Corporation
• Jeff Saunderson – Director, Health, Safety & Environment, VPC Group Inc.
• Scott Silver, P.Eng. – QHSE Engineer, Myant Corp.

10:30 – Networking Break

10:45 – Breakout Session

Participants can choose to attend one of the following sessions:

Breakout Session #1: Ergonomics by Design: Boosting Productivity and Efficiency

In this presentation by Rachel Mitchell, M.Sc., R. Kin., CCPE, Managing Ergonomist at Ergo Inc., participants will explore how ergonomics directly contributes to workplace performance, efficiency, and cost savings. Far beyond comfort, ergonomics plays a critical role in reducing strain, preventing injuries, and supporting sustained productivity.

When ergonomic principles are applied to the design of workstations and tasks, organizations can improve workflow, minimize fatigue, and optimize the use of time, manpower, and resources. A strategic ergonomics program not only protects worker health but also strengthens the bottom line.

Key topics covered in this session include:
• The relationship between ergonomics, performance, and productivity
• Practical guidelines for designing industrial workstations and tasks
• Identifying and addressing inefficiencies in current setups and processes
• Measuring the return on investment of ergonomic improvements

Breakout Session #2: Managing Machine Guarding Compliance in Ontario

In this presentation by Simon Fridlyand, P.Eng., President of S.A.F.E. Engineering, participants will gain insights into the Machine Guarding Compliance Process for both new and existing (older) equipment. The presentation will be framed within the context of Ontario’s evolving regulatory landscape.

The Compliance Process aims to deliver solutions that not only meet legal requirements but also improve operational efficiency.

11:45 – Lunch

1:00 – Tours

EMC is delighted to work alongside VPC Group, whose generous offer to host plant tours at their Valle Foam and Fibrix facilities in Brampton is sincerely appreciated. Their hospitality provides an invaluable opportunity for attendees to witness manufacturing excellence firsthand and engage in meaningful best-practice sharing.  VPC Group Inc. is a proud recipient of an EcoVadis Bronze Medal, placing them in the top 35% of companies assessed by Ecovadis, reflecting the company’s commitment to sustainable practices.

Each participant will be able to request to attend one of the following facility tours:

1. VPC Brampton (Valle Foam)
2. Fibrix Brampton

*Note: Both facilities are located near Hwy 410 and Steeles Avenue

Disclaimer: As limited space is available, admission for the plant tour is not guaranteed. We will contact you at a later date to confirm your registration for the plant tour.