STURGEON FALLS, Ont.— Jennmar, a U.S. maker of mining equipment , has opened its first Canadian plant in Sturgeon Falls, Ont

Researchers at Ohio State University have confirmed that a new 10-second heat treatment invented by Detroit entrepreneur, Gary Cola, makes steel 7 percent stronger than martensitic advanced high-strength steel (AHSS). Trademarked as Flash Bainite, the new steel is also stronger and more shock-absorbant than the Grade 5 (Ti 6-4) titanium commonly used in aerospace applications but at 10 percent of the cost. According to Suresh Babu, associate professor of materials science and engineering at Ohio State, and director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Center for Integrative Materials Joining for Energy Applications, Flash Bainite could provide a significant boost to the fuel economy of vehicles without sacrificing safety.

WHISTLER, BC: Ford motor company had an image problem. Between 2002 and 2005 its suppliers ranked the automaker (along with GM) the lowest in terms of supplier relations in any industry, let alone the auto business. But now Ford is getting good press and has gained the respect of its suppliers, says Dan Georgescu, global purchasing with Ford Motor Company.

TORONTO— The Ontario government is providing $900,000 in funding for advanced software training in the province’s machine, tool, die and mould manufacturers sector. The funding will help the Canadian Tooling & Machining Association (CTMA) provide computer-aided design and manufacturing software training to members

WHISTLER, BC: If you took every economist in the world and put them end-to-end, they still wouldn’t reach an opinion. That was one of the remarks from Amanda Lang, senior business correspondent for CBC’s The National and co-host of The Lang & O’Leary Exchange, during her keynote speech at PMAC’s national conference in Whistler. Lang treated delegates to a review of business and economic issues, focusing on trends and offering insights on what those trends mean for Canada and supply chain management.

Paper Packaging Canada and PPEC (Paper & Paperboard Packaging Environmental Council ) will both be stronger because of measures announced jointly by both boards of directors.

Berlin, Germany – German authorities have officially confirmed it: locally grown bean sprouts are the likely source of a deadly outbreak across Europe. The U.K.’s Guardian reports that officials from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), which is responsible for disease control and prevention in Germany, said there was enough evidence to link the outbreak to bean sprouts. RKI says people who ate sprouts were nine times more likely to have had severe symptoms of the E.

OTTAWA —The Harper government wants companies vying for Canada’s $35-billion national shipbuilding procurement strategy to sign away their legal right to consult lobbyists, The Canadian Press has learned. Angry lobbyists have ignored government demands and continue to work for the companies that hired them. They’ve also privately taken the government to task for attempting to undermine their legal right to provide expert advice on negotiating with government, and ultimately attempting to influence policy.

It’s difficult to argue against the green energy movement. Who doesn’t want to improve the environment and create a cleaner, healthier tomorrow for future generations?

According to Ralph Kroman, a partner at the law firm WeirFoulds LLP, security measures will reduce the likelihood of hacking and other electronic intrusions; however, competitors often acquire confidential information such as customer lists through former employees of a business. If an employee leaves a business and discloses confidential information to a new employer who is a competitor, it can be difficult to prove in court that confidential information was in fact disclosed.