Vanguard Magazine

44 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 www.vanguardcanada.com See the full interview online Q How did you start out in this industry, and how has it brought you to where you are today? I'm a newcomer. I started in this industry a year ago when I joined the Construc- TION¬¬%QUIPMENT¬$IVISION¬AT¬*$¬)RVING¬ Limited to leverage the Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) program into developing other opportunities for Atlantic Canadian institutions and indus- tries. Part of my orientation was learn- ing all of the many and varied operations within the J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI) group of companies and how they could fit into the goals of the ITB program – the adoption of new skills and technologies to enable local companies to compete on a global scale. Q What is your role in your organization today? The short answer is that I am to build re- lationships with those companies having obligations through the ITB program or wishing to build a stronger Value Proposi- tion in their bids and introduce them to the outstanding companies that we have in JDI and Atlantic Canada. But it is more than that. Sustainably increasing the competitive- ness of local industry cannot be accom- plished just by dropping technology into a business; there has to be a long-term plan to increase the skills of our workforce, to expand markets outside of our region, and to build a local base comprised of multiple industries that challenge each other. The Marine Additive Manufacturing Centre of Excellence (MAMCE) which is a partnership between university, college, and industry provides the best method of combining the natural expertise of each to this goal. The challenge for Canada's manufacturing industry is to stay current with ever-changing fabrication equip- ment and methods. The ability of Addi- tive Manufacturing (AM) to simplify the supply chain, provide parts on demand, and enable the fabrication of new compo- nents cannot be ignored. The strength of MAMCE is in its combination of research and innovation, application and commer- cialization and building a skilled work- force. So, for the past year I have spent a portion of my time championing, some might say evangelizing, this endeavour. Q What was your worst moment? Funding is always a challenge for new and innovative endeavours. After working on the Centre for six months, we had a plan that was ready to go to market. Our part- ners were on board, we knew the roles of each and how we would work together to maximize our chance of commercial suc- cess, or so we thought. All we needed was funding. Road testing our concept took additional time, but has proven successful in drawing the necessary funding partners for this non-profit Centre of Excellence. Q What was your "Aha!" moment or epiphany that you think will resonate most with our reader? We were at our pump testing facil- ity at Custom Fabricators and Machinists (CFM) with our 3D printing expert Prof. Mohammadi and an engineering technol- ogy instructor from the New Brunswick Community College (NBCC). In the cor- ner was a box of damaged impellers des- tined for recycling and on the shop floor were several pumps waiting for new parts to arrive, some with lead times of many weeks. I realized that there is nothing stopping this technology from being used now except for introducing those with the need to those with the ability. NBCC has printed a plastic 3D mock- up of one of the impellers to test the pro- gramming, and the Nova Scotia Commu- nity College (NSCC) will be printing the metal part shortly. Q Step back and analyze your jour- ney, what is the takeaway you want to give to our audience? Engage all stakeholders, including those not directly involved in the setup of what- ever project you are working on. Talk to potential users, suppliers, funders or any- one else that can impact the success of the endeavour. Q What people or organizations do you believe best embody the innovation mindset? GE, who have reinvented themselves nu- merous times and continue to do so. To be able to maintain that innovation mind- set, focus on continuous improvement, and sustain long term success is some- thing to be admired and emulated. Q What are the biggest impediments to innovation in today's enterprise? Change is hard but can deliver signifi- cant rewards. Our job is to lead change – the understanding, proven capability and adoption of innovative new advanced manufacturing technology. GARRY WARREN VP – INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, CONSTRUCTION & EQUIPMENT DIVISION J.D. IRVING, LIMITED G GAME CHANGER

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