This episode features Mitch Debora, Co-Founder and CEO of Mosaic Manufacturing, a digital manufacturing company capable of mass-scale additive manufacturing. Mitch tells us what 3D printing can do in 2025 (you might be surprised), how Mosaic is helping manufacturers reshore their supply chains, and how NGen-supported projects with partners like Athletic Knit are helping them push the boundaries of additive manufacturing even further.

Got a burning question about manufacturing? Submit it to our new ‘Ask Brendan Anything’ segment by DM’ing us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg

• 01:17 Mitch's Journey from Engineering to Entrepreneurship
• 04:26 The Rapid Evolution of Additive Manufacturing
• 13:08 How Mosaic is Helping to Reshore Supply Chains
• 16:14 Why Mosaic Chose to Locate in Downtown Toronto
• 17:34 How Partnerships With NGen, Athletic Knit, and Others Helped Mosaic Grow
• 23:38 Hiring and Company Culture
• 26:55 Comparing Business Practices: Canada vs. USA
• 30:35 The Future of Additive Manufacturing and Mosaic's Vision

Find Out More about Mosaic Manufacturing

• Mosaic Manufacturing website: mosaicmfg.com
• Mosaic Array and Athletic Knit blog and video: https://www.mosaicmfg.com/blogs/stories/a-breakaway-athletic-knit-revolutionizes-jersey-making-witharray?srsltid=AfmBOopGMszbRdaLzS6AvMFLMx3Tq0gTTrKzmgl-7s5VPF97HcJdlA5l

Find Out More About Trillium

• Trillium website: trilliummfg.ca
• Trillium GIS: trilliumgis.ca
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg
• X/Twitter: x.com/TrilliumMfg
• Instagram: instagram.com/trilliummfg
• Facebook: facebook.com/trilliummfg
• Old ‘Making it in Ontario’ Episodes: https://soundcloud.com/making-it-in-ontario-past

About the Making it in Ontario Podcast

Making it in Ontario is your window into what's next in manufacturing. Ontario’s economy depends on manufacturing, but the latest research reveals concerning trends that could undermine the sector’s strength—if we don’t address them. Join us as we talk to CEOs and other leaders at the forefront of the sector about productivity, strategy, talent markets and career opportunities, and the role of manufacturing in a prosperous and sustainable future.

This podcast is an initiative of the Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing. It is produced by Storied Places Media.

In this episode, we find out how biomanufacturing is similar to and distinct from other kinds of manufacturing with Mitchel Sivilotti, CEO of OmniaBio.

Mitchel takes us through OmniaBio’s journey from its germination in the Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine (CCRM) in Toronto to opening a 100,000 square foot facility in Hamilton. We chat about what OmniaBio learned about manufacturing from Toyota, how robotics and AI are influencing patient outcomes, and the value of ecosystem partnerships.

Got a burning question about manufacturing? Submit it to our new ‘Ask Brendan Anything’ segment by DM’ing us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg

• 00:17 Intro to OmniaBio and Biomanufacturing
• 06:28 Interview with Mitchell Sivilotti, CEO of OmniaBio
• 07:23 Mitchell's Journey in Biomanufacturing
• 10:39 Inside OmniaBio's Buildings in Hamilton and Toronto
• 15:57 Why OmniaBio Chose Hamilton for Its Hamilton Flagship
• 21:21 How OmniaBio Was Inspired By Toyota and Automotive Manufacturing
• 25:31 Robotics, AI, and Other Technologies in Biomanufacturing
• 31:25 OmniaBio’s Ecosystem Partnerships
• 35:20 Using Ontario’s Full Range of Co-op Programs
• 36:18 What’s Next for OmniaBio

Featured Report

• Trillium at 10 Strategy Report: trilliummfg.ca/initiatives/news/trillium_at_10/

Find Out More about OmniaBio and CCRM

• OmniaBio website: omniabio.com
• Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine website: ccrm.ca

Find Out More About Trillium

• Trillium website: trilliummfg.ca
• Trillium GIS: trilliumgis.ca
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg
• X/Twitter: x.com/TrilliumMfg
• Instagram: instagram.com/trilliummfg
• Facebook: facebook.com/trilliummfg
• Old ‘Making it in Ontario’ Episodes: https://soundcloud.com/making-it-in-ontario-past

About the Making it in Ontario Podcast

Making it in Ontario is your window into what's next in manufacturing. Ontario’s economy depends on manufacturing, but the latest research reveals concerning trends that could undermine the sector’s strength—if we don’t address them. Join us as we talk to CEOs and other leaders at the forefront of the sector about productivity, strategy, talent markets and career opportunities, and the role of manufacturing in a prosperous and sustainable future.

This podcast is an initiative of the Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing. It is produced by Storied Places Media.

In this episode, we hear how a small Ontario manufacturer is navigating Canada’s turbulent new trade relationship with the United States. 

Dennis Dussin is the President of Vaughan-based Alps Welding—a contract manufacturer that does about half of its business in the United States—and a Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME) board member. Wearing both hats, Dennis shares his diversification playbook, which includes diversifying the company’s markets, industries, and partnerships. He also makes strong cases for why Canada’s manufacturing sector isn’t a small player on the world stage, and why manufacturers should spend more time engaging with peers through organizations like CME. We wrap up with the silver lining that Dennis hopes will come out of this trade war.

We’re launching a new ‘Ask Me Anything’ segment! Send us your questions about Ontario manufacturing by DM’ing us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg

This episode was recorded on March 5, 2025 and originally aired as part of York Region’s The Tariff Impact video podcast series. Find the rest of the series at yorklink.ca/trade/#tariff-impact-podcast.

• 01:07 Call Out For NEW ‘Ask Us Anything’ Segment
• 01:52 About Alps Welding and Dennis’ High Level Take on the Trade War
• 06:57 Alps Welding’s Diverse Industries
• 08:51 Alps Welding’s Current Markets
• 11:31 Diversification’s Most Potent Opportunities and Pressing Challenges
• 15:04 The GTHA’s Remarkably Diverse Industrial Ecosystem
• 18:57 Importance of Ecosystem Organizations Like the CME

Find Out More about Alps Welding and CME

• Alps Welding website: alpswelding.com
• Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters website: cme-mec.ca

Find Out More About Trillium

• Trillium website: trilliummfg.ca
• Trillium GIS: trilliumgis.ca
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg
• X/Twitter: x.com/TrilliumMfg
• Instagram: instagram.com/trilliummfg
• Facebook: facebook.com/trilliummfg
• Old ‘Making it in Ontario’ Episodes: https://soundcloud.com/making-it-in-ontario-past

About the Making it in Ontario Podcast

Making it in Ontario is your window into what's next in manufacturing. Ontario’s economy depends on manufacturing, but the latest research reveals concerning trends that could undermine the sector’s strength—if we don’t address them. Join us as we talk to CEOs and other leaders at the forefront of the sector about productivity, strategy, talent markets and career opportunities, and the role of manufacturing in a prosperous and sustainable future.

This podcast is an initiative of the Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing. It is produced by Storied Places Media.

In this episode, hosts Brendan Sweeney and Michelle Samson debrief after Hannover Messe, the world’s largest industrial trade fair. 

With Canada as the host country and 1,800 Canadian delegates converging on this major networking and learning opportunity, Hannover has the potential to become a rallying point for redefining Canada’s manufacturing sector and ecosystem. But now we have to figure out how to build on the momentum, and where to go from here. Brenden suggests a starting point, but it’s a conversation Trillium plans to keep having.

Oh, and we finally reveal the big musical guests at NGen’s reception. Spoiler: we were all wrong!

• 00:42 Upcoming Events and Conferences
• 03:33 Hannover Messe Highlights
• 08:18 Top Insights and Takeaways
• 10:34 Hannover: A Rallying Point For Canada’s Manufacturing Sector
• 11:25 The Role of Big Canadian Manufacturers
• 15:05 NGen’s Big Musical Guests

Find Out More About Trillium

• Trillium website: trilliummfg.ca
• Trillium GIS: trilliumgis.ca
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg
• X/Twitter: x.com/TrilliumMfg
• Instagram: instagram.com/trilliummfg
• Facebook: facebook.com/trilliummfg
• Old ‘Making it in Ontario’ Episodes: https://soundcloud.com/making-it-in-ontario-past

About the Making it in Ontario Podcast

Making it in Ontario is your window into what's next in manufacturing. Ontario’s economy depends on manufacturing, but the latest research reveals concerning trends that could undermine the sector’s strength—if we don’t address them. Join us as we talk to CEOs and other leaders at the forefront of the sector about productivity, strategy, talent markets and career opportunities, and the role of manufacturing in a prosperous and sustainable future.

This podcast is an initiative of the Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing. It is produced by Storied Places Media.

In this brief episode of 'Making it in Ontario,' Mandeep Rehal, the Director of Business Development at the Ontario Center of Innovation (OCI), makes a case for why manufacturers shouldn’t miss their DiscoveryX Conference on April 16th and 17th at the Enercare Center in Toronto. With keynote speakers like Jeffrey Hinton, Aaron Erickson, and Amy Webb, the conference promises insights into the latest technologies as well as opportunities for networking and one-on-one meetings with investors. There’s even an advanced manufacturing zone where innovations will be showcased.

• 00:35 Overview of OCI and Its Mission
• 01:48 DiscoveryX Conference Overview
• 02:41 Highlights of DiscoveryX for Manufacturers
• 02:54 Keynote Speakers and Investor Meeting Opportunities
• 04:09 Conference Zones and Networking
• 05:02 Event Details and Registration
• 06:16 Last Year's Highlights

Find Out More about Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) and DiscoveryX

• OCI website: oc-innovation.ca
• DiscoveryX website: discoveryxconference.ca

Find Out More About Trillium

• Trillium website: trilliummfg.ca
• Trillium GIS: trilliumgis.ca
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg
• X/Twitter: x.com/TrilliumMfg
• Instagram: instagram.com/trilliummfg
• Facebook: facebook.com/trilliummfg
• Old ‘Making it in Ontario’ Episodes: https://soundcloud.com/making-it-in-ontario-past

About the Making it in Ontario Podcast

Making it in Ontario is your window into what's next in manufacturing. Ontario’s economy depends on manufacturing, but the latest research reveals concerning trends that could undermine the sector’s strength—if we don’t address them. Join us as we talk to CEOs and other leaders at the forefront of the sector about productivity, strategy, talent markets and career opportunities, and the role of manufacturing in a prosperous and sustainable future.

This podcast is an initiative of the Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing. It is produced by Storied Places Media.

In the final episode of our Hannover Messe countdown series—featuring Ontario manufacturers and technology companies showcasing at the world's largest industrial technology trade fair—we speak with Hannover veteran Michael Lalonde, President and CEO of the Innovative Group of Companies.

In this episode, Michael tells us about the Innovative Group, which includes Innovative Automation and RoboTape, and his journey from account manager to CEO. He also offers smart advice for custom machine builders looking to establish their own branded products and for Hannover newbies overwhelmed by the scale of the fair. And of course, one final guess at NGen’s mystery Canadian musical guest.

• 01:03 Brendan's Upcoming Trip to Hannover
• 02:04 Plug For York Region’s Tariff Impact Video Podcast
• 05:33 Michael's Journey and Role as CEO
• 07:16 The Birth of RoboTape
• 15:33 RoboTape's Market Impact and Applications
• 18:43 Hannover Messe Insights and Networking Tips
• 26:39 Upcoming Product Launch: RoboClip
• 31:56 Speculations on the Special Musical Guest

York Region’s The Tariff Impact Podcast

• The Tariff Impact Podcast YouTube Playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLq3vDdWJ2ruwBM-Kms5heLkJ8HZPfSXzp
• Episode 1 - “EDC: All-in-One Banking,  Insurance, Investment, and Advisory to Help Canadian Exporters Through Crises,” featuring Todd Winterhalt youtube.com/watch?v=3BdUfsVmuDw&list=PLq3vDdWJ2ruwBM-Kms5heLkJ8HZPfSXzp&index=2
• Episode 2 - “CME: What Canada’s Largest Manufacturers and Exporters Industry Association is Seeing and Doing,” featuring Dennis Darby: youtube.com/watch?v=qCLY4Sek26s&list=PLq3vDdWJ2ruwBM-Kms5heLkJ8HZPfSXzp&index=1&pp=iAQB

Find Out More about Innovative Group of Companies

• Innovative Automation website: innovativeautomation.com
• RoboTape website: robotape.com
• Mecsmart Systems website: mecsmart.com

Find Out More About Trillium

• Trillium website: trilliummfg.ca
• Trillium GIS: trilliumgis.ca
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg
• X/Twitter: x.com/TrilliumMfg
• Instagram: instagram.com/trilliummfg
• Facebook: facebook.com/trilliummfg
• Old ‘Making it in Ontario’ Episodes: https://soundcloud.com/making-it-in-ontario-past

About the Making it in Ontario Podcast

Making it in Ontario is your window into what's next in manufacturing. Ontario’s economy depends on manufacturing, but the latest research reveals concerning trends that could undermine the sector’s strength—if we don’t address them. Join us as we talk to CEOs and other leaders at the forefront of the sector about productivity, strategy, talent markets and career opportunities, and the role of manufacturing in a prosperous and sustainable future.

This podcast is an initiative of the Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing. It is produced by Storied Places Media.

Our Hannover Messe countdown series—featuring Ontario manufacturers and technology companies that will be showcasing at the world's largest industrial technology trade fair—continues with Greta Cutulenco, the Forbes 30 Under 30 CEO of Kitchener-based Acerta Analytics Solutions.

In this episode, Greta tells us about Acerta's innovative work using AI and machine learning to lead a paradigm shift from preventative maintenance to predictive quality, which results in massive improvements in scrap and rework rates. Greta adds to previous discussions about the challenges of tech adoption in Canada, the benefits of being based in Waterloo Region, and what she’s looking forward to at Hannover Messe, including a new prediction about the surprise musical guest at NGen’s Hannover reception.

• 00:16 Episode Introduction
• 03:29 Greta’s Speech at and Takeaways From the TRBOT Dinner
• 07:39 From Magna to Acerta Analytics
• 12:18 How Acerta Works With Tier 2 and 3 Companies
• 14:21 Shifting From Preventative Maintenance to Predictive Quality
• 17:43 Advantages of Being Located in Waterloo Region
• 20:47 Challenges in Technology Adoption
• 23:19 Looking Forward to Hannover Messe
• 29:31 Magic Wand Question: How Greta Would Address the Tech Adoption Challenge
• 31:27 Musical Guest Speculations and Rumors

Find Out More about Acerta Analytics Solutions

• Acerta Analytics Solutions website: acerta.ai

Find Out More About Trillium

• Trillium website: trilliummfg.ca
• Trillium GIS: trilliumgis.ca
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg
• X/Twitter: x.com/TrilliumMfg
• Instagram: instagram.com/trilliummfg
• Facebook: facebook.com/trilliummfg
• Old ‘Making it in Ontario’ Episodes: https://soundcloud.com/making-it-in-ontario-past

About the Making it in Ontario Podcast

Making it in Ontario is your window into what's next in manufacturing. Ontario’s economy depends on manufacturing, but the latest research reveals concerning trends that could undermine the sector’s strength—if we don’t address them. Join us as we talk to CEOs and other leaders at the forefront of the sector about productivity, strategy, talent markets and career opportunities, and the role of manufacturing in a prosperous and sustainable future.

This podcast is an initiative of the Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing. It is produced by Storied Places Media.

Our Hannover Messe countdown series—featuring Ontario manufacturers and technology companies that will be showcasing at the world's largest industrial technology trade fair—continues with Pablo Molina, Co-Founder & CTO of Kitchener-based Avidbots.

In this episode, Pablo shares Avidbots' journey from a small office in Waterloo to a multinational company shipping autonomous cleaning robots around the world. Pablo pulls no punches about Canada’s lagging adoption of robotics and lack of investment in scaling up the industry, both of which are challenges that he and the Canadian Robotics Council (CRC) are working to address.

The episode concludes with a preview of Avidbots' participation at Hannover Messe 2025, and his take on the rumours, thus far, of which musical act will be playing at NGen’s Hannover Messe reception.

• 03:41 Avidbots’ Journey
• 07:16 Avidbots' Products and Innovations
• 11:20 Challenges and Future of Robotics
• 14:36 Hardware, Software, and the Kitchener-Waterloo Ecosystem
• 17:03 How We Can Help Canadian Companies Scale Up 
• 22:46 The Role of CRC in Canadian Robotics
• 26:10 Avidbots at Hannover Messe
• 28:32 What Pablo is Excited About in 2025
• 30:17 Whether Avidbots Will Stay in Canada
• 35:26 Musical Rumors

Find Out More about Avidbots and the Canadian Robotics Council

• Avidbots website: avidbots.com
• Canadian Robotics Council website: roboticscouncil.ca

Find Out More About Trillium

• Trillium website: trilliummfg.ca
• Trillium GIS: trilliumgis.ca
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg
• X/Twitter: x.com/TrilliumMfg
• Instagram: instagram.com/trilliummfg
• Facebook: facebook.com/trilliummfg
• Old ‘Making it in Ontario’ Episodes: https://soundcloud.com/making-it-in-ontario-past

About the Making it in Ontario Podcast

Making it in Ontario is your window into what's next in manufacturing. Ontario’s economy depends on manufacturing, but the latest research reveals concerning trends that could undermine the sector’s strength—if we don’t address them. Join us as we talk to CEOs and other leaders at the forefront of the sector about productivity, strategy, talent markets and career opportunities, and the role of manufacturing in a prosperous and sustainable future.

This podcast is an initiative of the Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing. It is produced by Storied Places Media.

Our Hannover Messe countdown series—featuring Ontario manufacturers and technology companies that will be showcasing at the world's largest industrial technology trade fair—continues with Rahul Goel, CEO of Markham-based NordSpace.

In this episode, Rahul discusses NordSpace's ambitious plan to develop an end-to-end responsive space launch system, getting to space more sustainably, and the advantages of being located in York Region. He also previews NordSpace's participation in Hannover Messe, emphasizing the importance of a Canadian supply chain and industrial partnerships. We end with a couple of fun questions about who Rahul thinks will perform at NGen’s Hannover reception, and whether he’s been screeched in yet.

• 02:35 The Canadian Space Race
• 05:22 NordSpace in a Nutshell
• 07:27 NordSpace's Sustainable Innovations
• 09:57 The Role of U of T and Markham/York Region in NordSpace's Success
• 15:26 NordSpace at Hannover Messe
• 20:22 Future Plans and Exciting Developments
• 22:50 Speculating About the Musical Guest at NGen’s Hannover Reception
• 24:23 Getting Screeched In

Find Out More about NordSpace

• NordSpace website: nordspace.com
• Spaceport Canada webpage: nordspace.com/spaceport
• NordSpace on LinkedIn: ca.linkedin.com/company/nordspace-ca

Find Out More About Trillium

• Trillium website: trilliummfg.ca
• Trillium GIS: trilliumgis.ca
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg
• X/Twitter: x.com/TrilliumMfg
• Instagram: instagram.com/trilliummfg
• Facebook: facebook.com/trilliummfg
• Old ‘Making it in Ontario’ Episodes: https://soundcloud.com/making-it-in-ontario-past

About the Making it in Ontario Podcast

Making it in Ontario is your window into what's next in manufacturing. Ontario’s economy depends on manufacturing, but the latest research reveals concerning trends that could undermine the sector’s strength—if we don’t address them. Join us as we talk to CEOs and other leaders at the forefront of the sector about productivity, strategy, talent markets and career opportunities, and the role of manufacturing in a prosperous and sustainable future.

This podcast is an initiative of the Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing. It is produced by Storied Places Media.

Hannover Messe is a month away, and we’re counting down with a special series featuring Ontario manufacturers and technology companies that will be showcasing at the world's largest industrial technology trade fair.

We kick off the series with Michael Rosas, VP General Manager of Virtualware. The conversation explores the challenges of 3D technology adoption, and how Virtualware is reducing friction to help manufacturers use extended reality across their value chain, from design to remote training to sales. He also tells us about their brand new Battery Boost workforce initiative with Invest Windsor-Essex that will train workers for NextStar Energy’s battery plant before it’s built, and gives us a peek at what Virtualware will be showcasing at Hannover Messe.

• 00:17 Introducing New Series and Canada’s Presence at Hannover Messe 2025
• 04:21 Michael Rosas' Journey to Virtualware via Entertainment Industry
• 13:01 Virtualware's Immersive 3D Technology and Adoption Challenges
• 20:55 Manufacturing Use Case: Simumatik
• 26:13 Battery Boost Workforce Development Initiative
• 29:37 Virtualware at Hannover Messe
• 35:42 Closing Remarks (feat. Justin Bieber) and Invitation to Connect

Find Out More About Virtualware and Michael Rosas

• Virtualware website: virtualwareco.com
• VIROO website: virtualwareco.com/viroo
• Simumatik website: simumatik.com
• VIROO Room at McMaster Video: youtube.com/watch?v=GZU71mCSSRg
• VIROO App Simumatik: Virtual Commissioning Emulation Video youtube.com/watch?v=onOX39VpTH0
• Invest Windsor Essex - Battery Boost workforce VR training program for NextStar Energy: investwindsoressex.com/windsor-essex-ontario-workers-to-receive-high-demand-advanced-simulation-skills-training-for-immediate-placement-in-ev-supply-chain
• Contact Michael Rosas on LinkedIn to meet at Hannover Messe or at McMaster Innovation Park: linkedin.com/in/michael-rosas-1726a61a3

Find Out More About Trillium

• Trillium website: trilliummfg.ca
• Trillium GIS: trilliumgis.ca
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg
• X/Twitter: x.com/TrilliumMfg
• Instagram: instagram.com/trilliummfg
• Facebook: facebook.com/trilliummfg
• Old ‘Making it in Ontario’ Episodes: https://soundcloud.com/making-it-in-ontario-past

About the Making it in Ontario Podcast

Making it in Ontario is your window into what's next in manufacturing. Ontario’s economy depends on manufacturing, but the latest research reveals concerning trends that could undermine the sector’s strength—if we don’t address them. Join us as we talk to CEOs and other leaders at the forefront of the sector about productivity, strategy, talent markets and career opportunities, and the role of manufacturing in a prosperous and sustainable future.

This podcast is an initiative of the Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing. It is produced by Storied Places Media.