HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO-06-040 - Manufacturing Our Future - 2006 Corporate Visitation Program1
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REPORT
Report To: Development and Technical Services
Date of Meeting: June 12, 2006
Submitted By: Rod Regier, Executive Director, Economic Development
Prepared By: Kathy Weiss, Director, Business Development
Wards} Involved: All Wards
Date of Report: June 6, 2006
Report No.: CAO 06-040
Subject: MANUFACTURING OUR FUTURE - 2006 CORPORATE
VISTATION PROGRAM
RECOMMENDATION:
That Council receive for information purposes the attached report, entitled, "Manufacturing Our
Future, Corporate Visitation 2006".
BACKGROUND:
In September 2005, the Economic Development Advisory Committee asked staff to target the
automotive and related manufacturing businesses as part of the Business Retention Program.
This included a round of corporate visits by EDAC volunteers, economic development staff
members and members of council. This program offers an opportunity for valuable two-way
communication between the City of Kitchener's economic development staff and the local
business community.
The attached report is a compilation of our findings that resulted from the City of Kitchener's
2006 Corporate Visitation Program, which focused on the automotive and automotive-related
manufacturing sector.
REPORT:
While the manufacturing sector is facing some challenges resulting from offshore competition,
skilled labour shortages, and the rising Canadian dollar, local companies are adapting and
weathering the adversity by diversifying and increasing their productivity.
Highlights of the findings from the 2006 Corporate Visitation Program include:
• 97 per cent of manufacturers surveyed said they were satisfied or very satisfied with
Kitchener as a business location
• 94 per cent said they will either expand operations (57 per cent) or maintain their current
operation as is (37 per cent)
Of the 61 manufacturers surveyed, 75 per cent maintain a positive outlook for the
coming year.
70 per cent of companies surveyed either increased or maintained their employment
levels over the past year
• 35 per cent of the companies surveyed expect to create as many as 234 new jobs in the
future (spread out over 30 companies).
It is evident that Kitchener has an extraordinarily diverse and robust manufacturing cluster.
Many manufacturers are doing well, and on the whole, the industry is optimistic about the future.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
$2,200
COMMUNICATIONS:
The full report is available on the City of Kitchener website at www.city.kitchener.on.ca
Kathy Weiss
Director Business Development
Rod Regier, Executive Director
Economic Development