Grant: Technology Access Centre

Lambton Manufacturing Innovation Centre (LMIC) has become Sarnia-Lambton's access point for technology innovation and applied research, technical services, and industrial training targeted primarily at the manufacturing sector since 2013. Initially focused on Advanced Manufacturing and 3D Printing, LMIC has continuously pivoted, broadened, and expanded its capacity and expertise to include new areas, such as Circular Economy Manufacturing, Automation and Process Optimization, Product Development and Validation, Product Simulation, Material Testing and Development, and Digital Technology Adoption for manufacturing applications. To date, through applied research and technical services, LMIC has supported 218 unique industry partners with 594 engagements with these partners (523 engagements with Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises - SMEs) on 265 projects and developed 534 new or improved existing products, processes, and/or services. In addition, LMIC has created its brand and position in the community and region by building strong partnerships with many industry and community stakeholders, contributing to its successful performance and providing positive social, economic, health, and environmental impacts in the region and beyond. On average, annually, LMIC engages 35 college students for a total of $581,480 received by students. LMIC anticipates an average yearly growth rate of 8.45% for student engagement in applied research projects and services as well as an 11.12% average yearly growth rate for total salaried dollars received by students. LMIC also has the vision to engage with an average of 90 clients per year, focusing on growing applied research and service projects annually. Since 2013, has achieved close to $16 million in total revenue and based on its performance, hopes to attract an additional $17.9 million from other revenue and innovation support sources. For the last ten years, the TAC funding that LMIC has received has supported its core operation, allowing the centre to continuously grow and expand. This funding has further enabled the centre to allocate resources to apply for additional funding opportunities to develop new research areas and increase capacity, outreach, and administration. Through the proposed renewal of the TAC funding, LMIC will sustain its current activities and continue to evolve and grow to respond to the ever-changed manufacturing sector while providing a positive impact regionally and beyond.