The Montreal Manufacturing Technology Show (MMTS) 2024, orchestrated by SME at the Palais des congrès de Montréal, was a landmark event that celebrated the vibrancy and forward momentum of Quebec's manufacturing sector. Drawing in nearly 4,500 industry professionals, the show was a testament to SME's commitment to fostering manufacturing talent and advancing new technologies from Quebec and nearby provinces.
MMTS 2024's atmosphere buzzed with innovation and opportunity. Over 100 new product demonstrations showcased a diverse array of technologies, from AI and hyper-automation to advanced manufacturing solutions. Each display and demonstration offered a glimpse into a future shaped by technological ingenuity.
Integral to the event's success were the 20 educational sessions led by industry leaders and prominent stalwarts from the manufacturing world. These sessions provided attendees with a platform to absorb the latest trends and advancements. Key sessions included:
- “From 4.0 to 5.0: Reinventing Automation with AI" by Amira Boutouchent (BRIDGR), Louis Duhamel (Deloitte), and Cindy Dandurand (ADFAST).
- “Hyper-automation from Theory to Practice" by Michel Rioux PhD (Réseau des Centres d'expertise industrielle).
- “Quebec's Manufacturing Sector: Productivity and Growth Despite the Economic Headwinds" by François Gingras (Investissement Quebec).
- “Leveraging AI in Manufacturing with Insights and Case Studies" by Sean Duckett (Scale AI) and Alexandre Gervais (Vooban).
- "Advanced Manufacturing: Canada’s Competitive Advantage" by Jayson Myers (NGen).
- "Productivity Gap and Resilience of the Manufacturing Supply Chains in Quebec – Solutions for the Future" by Louis J. Duhamel (Deloitte), Jack Castonguay (TALAN), Serge Gonçalves (INTERMAT), and Pierre Poitevin (FLIR Radars).
MMTS 2024 was supported by leading partners from both within Quebec: Investissement Québec (IQ), Centre d’expertise industrielle de Montréal (CEI MTL), Mouvement québécois de la qualité (MQQ), Regroupement des entreprises en automatisation industrielle (REAI) and Sous-traitance industrielle Québec (STIQ); as well as from outside: AI 4 Manufacturing Canada; Canada Makes Next Generation, Canadian Machine Tool Distributors Association (CMTDA), Canadian Tooling & Machining Association (CTMA), and Canadian Welding Bureau-EWI (CWB-EWI).
Daily networking sessions offered attendees the chance to exchange ideas, fostering a sense of community and collaboration. These gatherings were more than just meetings; they were vibrant hubs of discussion, idea exchange, and potential partnerships. Notably, the Hannover Messe Roadshow organized by NGen encouraged participants to engage with the world's largest industrial fair, emphasizing Canada's role as the partner country for the next edition of Hannover Messe in 2025.
MMTS 2024 also served as a critical marketplace for equipment decision-makers, with a significant majority of attendees involved in their companies' purchasing processes. This aspect further established the event's importance in driving business and technological adoption in the industry.
Plans are already underway for MMTS 2026, promising to build on the successes of this year's event and continue to drive innovation and growth in the manufacturing sector. As you get ready to join it, stay updated, by following MMTS on mmts.ca, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.