Manufacturing is unfortunately (and falsely) believed to be an unglamorous occupation, when in actuality there are clean and lean productions going on in eastern Ontario on the cutting edge of technological advancement. People with digital skills will be highly sought after in the coming years. As a member of the first truly digital generation, you are perfectly poised to be an innovator in Ontario manufacturing.
Manufacturing in Popular Culture: Cutting-Edge Ontario Manufacturing
The manufacturing life and Hollywood aren’t so different. Check out these examples of how real-life Ontario manufacturing is glamorous by being on the cutting edge.
Quantum5X Systems Inc. (Q5X) – London, Ontario
Manufactures wireless transmitters, receivers and remote-controlled audio systems for sports, broadcasting and entertainment purposes.
Their wireless microphones were used by rowers in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Aeryon Labs Inc. (Aeryon) – Waterloo, Ontario
Created the SkyRanger, an industrial drone that works in all weather conditions to explore where humans can’t see or walk. Customers include public safety organizations, commercial clients, surveyors, industrial users, agriculturalists, and the Ontario Provincial Police, who used the drones for traffic monitoring at the 2015 Pan Am Games. More than 50% of sales are exported to international clients in the Middle East, China, Australia, Saudi Arabia and the United States.
Mosaic Manufacturing (Mosaic) – Toronto, Ontario
Created by three graduates of eastern Ontario’s Queen’s University, Mosaic Manufacturing was started with prize money from Queen’s Innovation Centre’s Summer Initiative program (QICSI) and a “wildly successful” Kickstarter campaign. Mosaic’s Palette (3D printer accessory) enables printers to print objects with up to four different filaments, revolutionizing the previously monochrome output of 3D desktop printers. With the Palette, users can create objects that are not only useful and dynamic, but also visually appealing. Working with existing printers, Palette provides an easy, affordable solution with exceptional results.
These are just three examples of innovative manufacturing companies located in Ontario. And since there’s nothing more glamorous than Hollywood, here are some movies and TV shows showcasing manufacturing in popular culture.
Extract, a 2009 Indie film starring Jason Bateman
The owner of a factory that produces flavour extracts, Joel Reynold (Jason Bateman) seems to have it all, but really doesn't. What's missing is sexual attention from his wife, Suzie (Kristen Wiig). Joel hatches a convoluted plan to get Suzie to cheat on him, thereby clearing the way for Joel to have an affair with Cindy (Mila Kunis), an employee. But what Joel doesn't know is that Cindy is a sociopathic con artist, and a freak workplace accident clears the way for her to ruin Joel forever.
Norma Rae, a 1979 drama starring Sally Field
Like a lot of her family before her, Norma Rae (Sally Field) works at the local textile mill, where the pay is hardly commensurate with the long hours and lousy working conditions. But after hearing a rousing speech by labour activist Reuben (Ron Leibman), Norma is inspired to rally her fellow workers behind the cause of unionism. Her decision rankles her family, especially her fiancé, Sonny (Beau Bridges), and provokes no shortage of contempt from her employers.
How It's Made, hosted by Tony Hurst
A look behind the scenes at how everyday things are manufactured. Typically each episode includes three to four products featured, with a mix consisting of common items such as jeans, aluminum foil and cereal, and less predictable ones like wax figurines, braille typewriters and pinball machines.
Eastern Ontario manufacturing has a lot to offer. It’s innovative, cutting edge, clean and advancing quickly, so you’ll never be doing the same thing over and over. Ontario manufacturing has grown into the digital age, and needs to stay flexible to keep up and succeed. Your digital generation is uniquely suited to help the manufacturing industry do exactly that. Maybe your innovations will help create more instances for manufacturing in popular culture.
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