There’s a common challenge that many businesses and manufacturers cite when searching for products or suppliers: Spending weeks or months sourcing options overseas or in the U.S., only to find the best solution – and one they didn’t know about – comes from a manufacturer across the street or just down Highway 401.
It’s a problem that Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) set out to solve five years ago when it launched the Ontario Made program.
“The Ontario Made program was created to help manufacturers grow and thrive,” says Dennis Darby, president & CEO of CME, a non-profit business association. “It streamlines supply chains and keeps jobs here in Ontario.”
Showcasing products to thousands of Canadian buyers
Ontario Made has become an essential partner for manufacturers to showcase their products through its searchable database. The site is a growing digital destination where businesses and consumers can find more than 20,000 Ontario-made products from more than 5,000 companies, ranging from air compressors to zinc castings and everything in between.
“Earlier this year we got a request from a university in search of bus shelters for its infrastructure expansion. We were able to connect them with a local supplier,” says Haddas Lederman, communications manager at CME. “These important connections are happening every day on our site.”
Boosting visibility and brand recognition for Canadian manufacturers
Many manufacturers lack the time or expertise for serious and sustained branding and marketing. The Ontario Made program provides a valuable resource to fill that gap.
Members can list their products on the searchable website and access a marketing toolkit that includes the Ontario Made logo, which can be reproduced on products, packaging, and marketing materials. They can also gain access to marketing support such as video spotlights and blog articles.
K-Line Insulators, a major supplier of polymer insulators for the electrical grid, is a member of Ontario Made and displays the program’s logo on its products.
“The Ontario Made program highlights our commitment to produce in Ontario. Our customers recognize the quality and supply chain benefits that this commitment provides,” says Dalton Kellett, president of K-Line.
Getting started with Ontario Made
Membership is free and open to manufacturers of all sizes and sectors, as long as the listed product’s last substantial transformation occurred in Ontario. Signing up takes only a few minutes on the Ontario Made website.
In addition to visibility and marketing tools, manufacturers can access CME’s free training programs, including courses on lean manufacturing, leadership, and health and safety.
Whether you’re a manufacturer looking to expand your supply chain, or a business operator seeking local products, visit Ontario Made and browse its searchable product directory. To become a member, manufacturers can fill out the online application.
Want to stay connected? Sign up for the monthly Ontario Made e-newsletter.
