Welcome to CME Nova Scotia Division!   CME Nova Scotia Division acts on behalf of manufacturers and exporters in the province by advocating the government and through running programs and services that are of assistance to our members.   This year’s Energy Conference is going to be an exciting opportunity for companies to get together and learn new ways to become more energy efficient as well as incorporating Lean thinking to reduce and improve their impact on the environment.  The event will be taking place at the World Trade and Convention Centre in Halifax on Tuesday, March 2, 2010. Lean and Green – Energizing Your Bottom Line with Energy Efficiency is Atlantic Canada’s foremost industrial energy efficiency conference geared to industry representatives from senior decision-makers to engineers, operations managers and energy practitioners. This is a must attend conference for everyone interested in how Canadian industry can reduce energy use per unit of production while improving economic performance.   Structured on the success of last year the conference will consist of keynote speakers, panel discussions, and a series of workshops tailored to meet the needs of industry in here in Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada. This is the perfect event for:         ·         Plant Managers & Operators ·         Financial Managers ·         Plant Engineers & Technicians ·         Supplies  ·         Energy Service Providers  ·         Contractors ·         Consultants ·         Maintenance Supervisors ·         Electrical & Mechanical Trades-people ·         Engineers ·         Government and Industry Association Representatives and more. Registration details will be available shortly.   If you are interested in partnership and exhibitor opportunities, please contact Jacqui Squires at jacqui.squires@cme-mec.ca. A special thanks to our Partners:        We hope to see you there!               Colchester Export Rally Thursday, March 11, 2010 Learn How to Increase Your Company’s Sales Trade Team Nova Scotia and the Colchester Regional Development Agency are hosting the Colchester Export Rally in Truro on March 11th at the Holiday Inn & Conference Centre. The Export Rally is a full-day event focused on helping companies grow their business and increase their revenue. The event will feature a variety of workshops including: Selling on the web Pricing for export markets Perfecting your elevator pitch Market entry options for export services Reducing risk Market-specific presentations Whether you have never exported or are an experienced exporter there is something for you. As a participant you will create a customized agenda by selecting activities that best suit your business stage and will leave with practical information and resources that you can use in your business immediately. The registration cost in $35 per person and includes: Access to various workshops that offer practical steps to improving your business Networking opportunities with other businesses and government representatives FREE, on-site customized market research assistance Detailed information on key markets and opportunities Resource exhibition of trade related programs and services Continental breakfast, coffee breaks and lunch. For more information on how to register, go to www.exportrally.ca        CME NS Holds a Successful Compete to Win Learning Session   CME Nova Scotia conducted a learning session with David Hogg of HPSolutions and David Haire of CME Atlantic Lean last January 27, 2010 at the Ramada Plaza in Dartmouth.   This was a follow-up session on the setting up the Lean consortium. The session reviewed the power of Lean and also the challenges in putting Lean thinking to work. David Hogg, the acknowledged expert of Lean Consortia in North America, stated that the Business as Usual attitude is not an option during this great economic crisis. He explained the need to respond to the new challenges and quoted Jay Myers' challenge responses on the need to pursue Leadership, Lean, Innovation, New markets and Results through people. He gave the perspective of Lean over the modern history of manufacturing, the Lean journey through the iceberg model and gave the Next generation manufacturing success attributes. Structured brainstorming groups were organized and throughout the day’s activities, became a demonstration of the power of consortium.   David Haire gave a hands-on experience of organizing and running a Lean Consortium and how it succeeded in helping Newfoundland manufacturers.   A discussion session was held later where other questions about the consortium were answered and clarified. Ann Janega the session moderator canvassed the attendees as to their interest in joining the first Nova Scotia consortium and was able to get a strong commitment of ten companies to form the consortium. A follow-up meeting will be organized.   The total attendees were 35+ and great comments on the session were received from the survey that was taken after the session. A download of the presentation is available under the "Reports" tab to the left.  For more information on Lean consortium, please contact Jacqui Squires at Jacqui.squires@cme-mec.ca or at 902 422 4477 extension 2.  U.S. Government Contracts: The Practical Jump Start   January 28, 2010 – Halifax and other Atlantic locations     Attracted by U.S. Government Contracts (25 % of U.S. domestic spending), but not sure how to start?   Confused by the complexity, concerned about Buy America issues…or both?   Want a strategy to focus on the highest-potential U.S. government business, navigate the learning curve, and get connected -- identify opportunities, win contracts, while saving time and money?     Judy Bradt, Washington-based Principal of Summit Insight, www.summitinsight.com will present U.S. Government Contracts: The Practical Jump Start Seminar on January 28, 2010. Judy delivers action-focused tactics based on over 20 years of experience advising over 6,000 clients to more than $200 million of success in government contracts.                   This session is designed to enable you to:    ü      Decide if this market is for you -- learn what success will take;   ü      Understand how U.S. government agencies buy -- get inside buyers' heads so you can get inside their offices;   ü      Discover winning tactics for advance intelligence on opportunities and competitors; and   ü      Strengthen your unique value proposition for more successful partnerships and relationship development.   Sector focus: While this is a general session, Judy will use examples from ICT and green technologies. One-on-one meetings with Judy Bradt are also available.     DATE/TIME :  January 28, 2010  - 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.                LOCATION:  Halifax, N.S. TARA – 5562 Sackville St.                and via webcast to other Atlantic locations.         To register: Contact Ghisline Duguay, (902) 426-9365 Ghisline.duguay@international.gc.ca   Presented by Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency       Innovation Insights A Learning Session at Pratt & Whitney Canada Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm  Halifax, Nova Scotia  Better...faster...cheaper...The challenges facing Canadian companies. The Learning Session at Pratt & Whitney Canada will demonstrate ‘Lean at Work’ at a leading Canadian manufacturer. Hear about Lean Consortium as a leveraged networking opportunity. Learn about how other companies have embraced lean to drive out waste and drive up customer value! By adopting Lean, companies have: • Increased productivity by 40% • Reduced their defect rate from 3% to 1.5% • Reduced their Work in Progress of $1 million with a 40% lead-time decrease • Reduced plant floor space requirement by 50% - 75% Terry Green, Quality Manager, Pratt & Whitney Canada will describe how Pratt & Whitney Canada have embraced Lean through their ACE program, and explain in detail the tools used to successfully implement Lean. Terry and his team will provide an on-site tour of Lean at Work in both a service support department, and a manufacturing line. In the afternoon, CME will set the stage for a Nova Scotia based Lean Consortium of independent fi rms pursuing excellence through continuous improvement. Through the sharing of knowledge, resources, best practices and expertise, companies have access to professional consulting services, targeted Lean training and networking opportunities. David Haire, VP of Best Practices and Lean Management, CME Atlantic Region, Who also leads the Fluent Consortium in Newfoundland and Labrador, will share Lean success stories in Atlantic Canada. For more information check: [info] ONLINE REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT (https://tvp-ii.cmemec.ca/mpower/event/loadevent.action?e=88) Or call:  Innovation Insights   at 1-800-999-4129     www.tvp-ii.org   CME Special Advisor in Washington provides response to 'Buy America' concerns      CME's key representative in Washington D.C., Birgit Matthiesen recently spoke to a  CME, business and government audience on  key issues related to  Canadian and US Trade.   Attendees included representatives from industry as well as the provincial and federal governments. CME members welcomed Ms. Matthiesen and continued a dialogue on such topics as the impact of the current “Buy America’ platform, trends in border security, the U.S. energy bill and the business and regulatory environment.   CME continues to monitor these topics for our members. Your feedback is welcome.  To see photos from Brigit Matthiesen's presentation, please visit this link: [photos]   CME takes the lead in fight against Buy America   New Buy America restrictions imposed by the US Government may restrict your access to state and local procurement markets. Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) is taking the lead on behalf of our members to spur Canadian government action to mitigate the adverse consequences of Buy America restrictions on Canadian exporters. We are also working with our US business allies through CME’s Washington representative to oppose any new Buy America language in future US legislation.   Click here (http://www.cme-mec.ca/national/template_na.asp?p=20052) for full details.     CME Nova Scotia Division holds very successful 57th Annual Meeting Day & Deputy Ministers' Appreciation Luncheon! On May 21st., CME Nova Scotia played host to over 100 guests including a good representation of Provincial Deputy Ministers and Senior Federal Public Servants. Highlights of the day included: Annual General Meeting  Annual Deputy Ministers’ Appreciation Luncheon with keynote speaker Rear-Admiral Paul Maddison, OMM, MSM, CD, Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic, who updated us on the recent domestic and international contributions of our East Coast Navy and offered his perspective of the Navy's role in our community. Chairs’ Reception with a Mini Trade Exhibition The event also unveiled CME Nova Scotia's Annual Report for 2008-2009, which can be viewed here: Annual Report 08-09 CME Nova Scotia would like to thank their support partners, member colateral partners and exhibitors, and hope to see you at the 58th Annual Meeting Day in 2010. To view photos of this year's event, click here.