Merit Precision is a custom plastic injection moulder manufacturing over seven hundred individual products for fifty customers. No single “off the shelf” software program met their needs so they developed a computer operating system to manage procurement, production, quality, inventories, shipping and personnel. Fifteen manufacturing cells are scheduled automatically and provide real time statistics for reject rates, cycle times and profitability. Merit’s TS 16949 independent quality auditor sites this system as best in class. The innovative company has generously agreed to host a plant tour to demonstrate their system for the Kawartha Manufacturers’ Association on October 25th.
When we visited the facility we learned that they employ more than 70 people and they are operating around the clock, five days a week. Tim Barrie, President, says he has never had a problem filling a position and believes we have a good manufacturing workforce in the area.
So what is missing in Peterborough? A lower industrial tax rate, a prestigious entrance to the prestige industrial park, a right turning lane out of the park to ease end-of-day traffic and someone to repair tools locally.
The GPA EDC was able to assist Merit Precision by providing funding to the company through its recent manufacturers’ training initiatives.
Submitted by: Laura Lauzon, Director of Manufacturing and Small Business
