Making it in Ontario

Statistically, half of the smartest people in Ontario are men and the other half are women. So why aren’t manufacturers taking full advantage of the pool of talented women? This episode features Nikki Morshedi, the Executive Director of Women in Aerospace Canada, who shares insights into the challenges women face in STEM fields, why gender diversity is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge, and how WIA is helping women enter, stay, and thrive in the aerospace sector (and beyond).

• 01:02 Interview with Nikki Morshedi of Women in Aerospace Canada
• 04:19 Nikki's Journey into Aerospace
• 09:46 Her Brilliant LinkedIn Hacks
• 12:20 Embracing What Women Bring to Teams and Reducing Barriers
• 16:23 Women in Aerospace Canada: Mission, Scope, and Programs
• 23:33 What to Expect from WIA’s Mentorship Program, Tips for Mentors and Mentees
• 27:20 WIA’s Partners
• 32:01 Future of Women in Aerospace and Final Thoughts

Find Out More about Women in Aerospace Canada

• Women in Aerospace Canada website: wia-canada.org
• WIA Mentorship Program webpage: wia-canada.org/2025/04/15/ready-to-soar-join-the-wia-canada-mentorship-program-2025

Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing Reports on Gender Diversity

• Data Bulletin #14: Visible Minorities and Ontario Manufacturing https://trilliummfg.ca/data-bulletin/visible-minorities-and-ontario-manufacturing/
• Occupational Diversity and Ontario Manufacturing Data Bulletin trilliummfg.ca/data-bulletin/occupational-diversity-ontario-manufacturing
• Gender and Ontario’s Manufacturing Workforce trilliummfg.ca/data-bulletin/gender-and-ontarios-manufacturing-workforce
• Gender Diversity and Ontario Manufacturing: Lessons from Five Leading Companies https://trilliummfg.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Gender_Diversity_And_Ontario_Manufacturing.pdf
• Making it in Ontario, S10 E3, Hot Off the Press: New Data on Diversity in Manufacturing https://player.captivate.fm/episode/01981aa3-8a62-4ad3-870c-220ae8322749/

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.

This episode features Will Harney, the CEO of Hydrocool and a former Magna executive. After a career in automotive operations and R&D at Magna—playing a role in its 1987 Vehma Torrero concept car—he co-founded Hydrocool, a startup that’s building hydrogen-powered refrigeration units for transport trailers. Will shares his perspective on automotive R&D and on the possibility of a Canadian-owned car company, the exciting applications of hydrogen fuel cells, and why he thinks hydrogen could replace diesel sooner than you think.

• 04:17 Will Harney's Experience at Magna
• 09:20 Lessons from the Vehma Torrero for Building a Canadian Car Company
• 12:50 Does Canada Already Have an OEM?
• 18:50 The Process and Value of Automotive R&D
• 23:09 How NGen’s EV Manufacturing Value Chain Program Led To Hydrocool
• 30:19 How Hydrogen Works and Why It Could Be Everywhere Soon
• 38:31 Hydrocool’s R&D Foundation
• 41:11 Collaborations and Partnerships

Find Out More about Hydrocool and Other Mentioned Projects

• Hydrocool website: hydrocool.ca
• Hydrocool Inquiries: [email protected]
• NGen project: https://www.ngen.ca/hubfs/NGenEVReportMarch2022.pdf
• Magna Torrero webpage: magna.com/company/company-information/facts-history/magna-torrero

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 dive into a new Trillium Data Bulletin about Ontario’s dairy product manufacturing industry and what it teaches us about the benefits and drawbacks of local supply chains. They also discuss the local cheese that makes Windsor-style pizza famous.

• 00:20 Hot Off the Press: Dairy Product Manufacturing Data Bulletin
• 02:36 How Dairy is Different From Other Manufacturing Industries
• 05:05 Geographical Distribution of Dairy Production in Ontario
• 06:54 The Cheese That Makes Windsor-Style Pizza
• 10:16 The Big and Small Players in Ontario’s Dairy Industry
• 12:07 The Industry’s High Productivity and Economic Impact
• 14:21 Dairy Imports and Exports
• 17:07 Advantages and Drawbacks of Local Supply Chains
• 24:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Read the Data Bulletin

• Churn and Learn: What Ontario’s Dairy Industry Teaches Us About Local Supply Chains https://trilliummfg.ca/data-bulletin/ontario-dairy-supply-chains/

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 chat with Trevor Walker, CEO of Frontier Lithium, about the company's efforts to build an integrated supply chain for lithium in Canada, from mining it in far Northwestern Ontario to refining it in Thunder Bay to shipping it to EV battery manufacturing plants in Southern Ontario. Trevor tells us about discovering the lithium deposit, getting support from the federal and provincial governments to build a production facility on the site of a former OPG coal power plant, and the opportunities and risks of being a first mover in lithium production.

• 03:38 The Sudbury BEV In-Depth Conference
• 05:37 Trevor Walker's Mining Journey 
• 09:38 Frontier Lithium's Genesis
• 15:12 Building a Lithium Production Facility in Northern Ontario
• 17:51 Opportunities and Risks in Being a First Mover in Lithium Production
• 24:04 Frontier Lithium’s Five Year Plan

Find Out More about Frontier Lithium

• Frontier Lithium website: frontierlithium.com

Find Out More about the Sudbury BEV In-Depth: Mines to Mobility Conference, May 28-29, 2025

• Conference website: investsudbury.ca/bevindepth2025

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.

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.