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Recap of 2011 Canadian Conference

More than 220 attendees representing nearly 70 percent of PTDA's Canadian distributor membership and several dozen manufacturer members convened in Canada's capital for networking, education and industry information. 

The 10th Annual Canadian Conference kicked off with the Industry Showcase--an opportunity for manufacturers to display and demonstrate their latest products--but also a terrific way to stand out among the crowd.  The energy was definitely high as distributor members sought out existing and current supplier partners among those supporting the conference by reserving a tabletop exhibit.  As always, business was still being discussed as the showcase ended.

No issue is more top-of-mind for PTDA's members than the economy--both at home in Canada, across the border in the U.S. and abroad.  In his opening keynote presentation, Dr. Peter Andersen of Andersen Economic Research Ltd.  forecasted a decade of instability and change but is optimistic as there are opportunities out there.  With so much idle cash on corporate balance sheets and equities priced below their fair market value, Andersen sees opportunities with investments in the developing world and in alternative energy sources (such as natural gas).  What worries Andersen?  The national debt problems of Greece and the United States, commodity inflation, and damage from the recession and how it will play when the next recession hits in 2014-2015. 

According to PTDA's Business Index, distribution and manufacturing companies in the power transmission/motion control industry are starting to hire.  And, with the increase in hiring, we can expect to see current employees testing the waters to see what's out there.  A panel facilitated by Jos Sueters of Tsubaki of Canada discussed the challenges in employee recruitment and retention.  Kevin Maynard of the Canadian Supply Chain Sector Council led off the panel by providing attendees with resources for occupation statistics and standards as well as some background on how people choose careers.  Maynard was followed by Ken Miko of PTDA distributor member company, BDI.  Miko discussed the unique characteristics of the multiple generations currently in the workplace--how do they think, what motivates them.  Rounding out the panel was human resources expert Gerlinde Herrmann.  Herrmann emphasized the need for all companies to identify and assess the risk of losing key people in your organization--and steps you can take to retain them.

A staple on the program at the Canadian Conference is information on key customer markets.  This year, the focus was on the Canadian railway and the Canadian government.  Jay Nordenstrom of the Canadian Association of Railway Suppliers (CARS) delivered fascinating information on how to work with some of the top manufacturers of railway equipment.  With major investments in infrastructure in the past few years, opportunities to grow your business exist by supplying light rail and commuter rail manufacturers with essential components.  Andrè Cardinal of the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises, Public Works and Government Services Canada, provided attendees with tactical information about how to do business with the myriad of agencies and programs affiliated with the Canadian government.  Cardinal explained the types arrangements the government makes with potential suppliers and walked through the process of how PTDA member companies can become an approved suppliers.

Our thanks go out to Pierre Bouchard of General Bearing Service, Inc., a PTDA distributor member headquartered in Ottawa.  Bouchard donated four books filled with stunning photos of Ottawa to four lucky drawing winners--Yoji Nagata of Koyo Canada, Inc., Richard Morgan of Baldor Electric Company, Pete Golding of SKF Canada Limited and Angie Bisante of RBI Bearing, Inc.  Congrats to all! 

Finally, Ken Wong of the Queen's School of Business delivered an encore presentation that didn't disappoint.  Building on his presentation in 2010 on "margin-sucking maggots," Wong focused on branding and positioning your company to best demonstrate your value proposition.  Using real-world examples, Wong spoke to the group about the intrinsic value that comes with having an established brand--and the premium price you can command because of your brand.  Wong emphasized that your brand must associate your product with a point of difference, an advantage because, as he pointed out, "No one will pay more for something they can get cheaper somewhere else."  Wong spoke about brand management driven by price, cost, market share and market size.  And, at the end of the day, your corporate structure has to support your brand strategy or it will fail.

The presentations delivered at the Canadian Conference are now available for download.  Click here to access the program descriptions and links.

Who was there?  Download the 2011 Canadian Conference attendee list 

Thank you to our sponsors:  Annex Publishing and Machinery & Equipment MRO.