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Manufacturer's Breakfast

North American Stamping Group keynote speakers at the Chamber's annual event

WOODSTOCK - The lower Canadian dollar is good for North American Stamping Group. 

The supplier of metal stampings and welded assemblies to the automotive industry were the keynote speakers at the Woodstock and District Chamber of Commerce's annual Manufacturer's Breakfast. After the breakfast, people were invited back to the plant for a tour. 

Business Unit General Manager Ken Schlimme says one of the keys to their success if continued investment in the company. "We have a strong team, we've had good partners within the community. The city council and Ontario and Federal government have helped us with some grants which has helped us to expand. Continuous improvement with our associates. Many of our associates have grown within the company and we try to implement the latest technologies within our facility."

When the company opened their Woodstock facility in 1985 they had less than 20 employees and have grown to 350 associates through seven expansions in the City. 

"We all know that there has been a reduction in the automotive industry in Ontario over the last number of years but there are certain areas where if labour content isn't as high, if we implement the right technologies, we can still maintain growth in these regions. Logistics is so important so as long as we have customers that are near by, we should be able to keep more manufacturing in this area."

Schlimme says despite offers, they have decided not to become a Tier 1 manufacturer. 

"It was more of a conscience effort to not compete with our customers. We had already built up a niche within the industry and had a lot of stamping business with people that were supplying directly so we just didn't want to compete with them and we still have lots of opportunity within that segment."

North American Stampings Group are a privately owned company.

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