TNR Doors will pick up the pace by participating in the Automation Accelerator pilot program, which is to create responsive, industry-driven solutions that provide regional manufacturers with training and knowledge.
“We will get exposure to the latest in technology in regards to new and updated software technology, tools and strategies to help maintain an efficient organization,” said Marcus Von Reden, TNR’s chief executive officer. “This accelerator program will help prepare our needs through a self-assessment exercise and help us determine and be set up to maintain a world-class site.”
Located on Fairview Road in south-end Barrie, TNR provides high-performance, rubber roll-up doors which are suitable for applications of as much as 20 feet in width or height. With an opening speed of up to 18 inches per second and spring assemblies rated for more than 100,000 cycles, TNR’s high-performance industrial doors are fast, durable and reliable. Their unique design enables a TNR door to withstand a vehicle impact, be reset and continue running within minutes, minimizing downtime and repair costs.
The Automation Accelerator pilot program includes understanding the fundamentals of Industry 4.0, or the newest industrial revolution.
The first industrial revolution was about mechanization through water and steam power, the second was mass production and assembly lines using electricity, the third happened with computers and automation and Industry 4.0 builds on the third, with smart, autonomous systems fuelled by machine learning and data.
Von Reden said two TNR employees are to attend the program, with possibly more in the future.
“The networking and one-to-one consultations will provide us an excellent avenue to help prepare and build the plan to lay out the steps going forward,” he said. “The use of tools and decision trees will ultimately help us to convey that path through clear communication across the rest of the organization.”
A 'decision tree,' as defined by Merriam-Webster, is a diagram used for making decisions in business or computer programming in which the branches represent choices with associated risks, costs, results or probabilities.
“Finally, there is an opportunity to learn about possible funding/subsidized programs that would be available to us from regional and federal sources, as a part of the community in this region and create jobs,” Von Reden said.
In addition to increasing awareness in support and funding opportunities, this program will provide connections to research and innovation projects at Georgian College and Lakehead University.
The program will also focus on manufacturing processes, such as logistics, enterprise resource planning, augmented reality, machine learning, predictive maintenance, artificial intelligence and automation through robotics.
Participating businesses can build and leave the program with an action plan, based on their own assessment of priorities and capabilities.
The virtual 12-hour pilot program begins March 9, taking place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8-10 a.m. for three weeks.
“Overall, TNR is looking to move forward in our manufacturing excellence while utilizing the experience and expertise of our colleagues at TNR throughout the organization and get outside thoughts from other industries and resources,” Von Reden said.
The Automation Accelerator pilot program is supported by the County of Simcoe, its member municipalities, the cities of Barrie and Orillia, Georgian College, Lakehead University and the Ontario government.
