Annex Business Media: Podcasts

Join CFI editor Jennifer Ellson and Chris Duncan, partner and national leader of forestry and forest products at MNP, as they unpack the forest industry’s biggest challenges and successes of 2024 and look ahead to 2025. Topics include shifting markets, labour shortages, the threat of U.S. tariffs, rising fibre costs, and the impacts of wildfires and storms. They also explore how AI, automation, and sustainability trends are shaping the future, alongside key takeaways from BC’s 2024 election and recent regulatory changes. Sponsored by MNP, this episode offers a must-listen year-end review and outlook for Canada’s forest sector. Stream now on SoundCloud. Have a topic idea? Email Jennifer at jellson@annexbusinessmedia.com.

Canadian healthcare facilities have seen great strides when it comes to modernizing access control. From early wired systems to seamless technology, access control technology has far-reaching effect to staff and patients alike, with benefits spanning across the entire healthcare system. In this episode, Kyle Pfeiffer, healthcare industry leader at Salto Systems, reviews the evolution of security in medical facilities.

Avnan is a global electronics engineering and manufacturing company specializing in custom design and manufacturing solutions for OEMs. The business provides end-to-end services in custom electronic product design, contract manufacturing and custom component sourcing. The company serves a number of industries such as HVAC, home appliances, renewable energy, telematics and building automation.

Visitor management systems have evolved from sticker nametags and sign-in sheets to robust platforms to track visitor access to a location. Dan Nohr, Solutions Development Engineer and North American Product Manager for Visitor Management Systems at Salto, shares insights about how visitor management systems can help enhance security, improve efficiency and support compliance and regulations.

Software-defined manufacturing (SDM)offers a way to organizations to better orchestrate work between man and machine and kickstart the long game of effective technology investment to future-proof IT and OT operations. It has the potential to help manufacturers address challenges, satisfy customer needs and create competitive advantage. In this episode of Machine Language, Tim Gaus, Smart Manufacturing Leader at Deloitte, joins us to discuss how software-defined manufacturing can be a game changer. He explains why Software-Defined Manufacturing (SDM) is gaining traction in the manufacturing industry, how it helps manufacturers create smart factories, its key benefits, how it can address long-term issues such as supply chain challenges and more.

With hemp (or red state weed) thriving in the United States and marijuana still stigmatized, the 2024 election could redefine the future of the North American cannabis industry. Denver attorney Bob Hoban and Vancouver lawyer Rob Laurie explore the implications on both sides of the border. Sponsored by Quality Horticulture

Join cultivators Patrick Pagé of Great White North Growers and Mehgan Race Widdison of Mauve et Herbes as they share their commercial agriculture experiences in Quebec. Hear how their unique lifestyle, commitment to the craft and camaraderie with fellow growers propels the industry forward, creating a culture of continuous improvement and innovation in Canadian cannabis.

Groupe Marcelle is a Canadian manufacturer of cosmetics, with a supply chain spanning the globe. They are continuing on an Industry 4.0 journey, and the CEO David Cape sits down to talk about how the company has evolved over the years, and where it’s headed next in the world of cosmetics manufacturing.

Want to hear inspiring stories from women who are breaking barriers in the construction industry? Tune into this episode of Direct & Current to learn about the Ontario Building and Construction Tradeswomen’s new Speakers’ Bureau. Host Anthony Capkun is joined by Kate Walsh to talk about this exciting initiative that connects organizations with skilled tradeswomen ready to share their experiences. From electricians and carpenters to boilermakers and beyond, these women are passionate about inspiring the next generation of tradespeople. Discover how the Speakers’ Bureau is helping to change perceptions about women in the skilled trades and providing a platform for these remarkable individuals to share their journeys. Whether you’re a student, educator, business leader or event planner, you’ll want to know more about OBCT’s Speakers’ Bureau.

A lot has changed in the world of law enforcement since the 1980s. Mike Callaghan, who recently retired as the Chief of the Belleville Police Service, left public safety with over 38 years of policing experience. In this episode of Blue Line, The Podcast, editor Brittani Schroeder sat down with Callaghan to look back at his incredible career, and to see what has changed for police most over the last four decades. We hope you enjoy this special podcast episode, dedicated to celebrating Blue Line’s 35th anniversary.

Bakers Journal editor Colleen Cross speaks with Anthony Borgo, coordinator of the baking and pastry arts program and professor of apprentice cook and culinary programs at Georgian College in Barrie, Ont., about his work with students, what they are looking for in a career (hint: leadership positions) and what skills the professional bakers of tomorrow are learning. We also delve into Borgo’s rich culinary and baking background, his influences and finish with five rapid-fire questions about baking, pizza, pasta and more! Anthony’s new podcast featuring exciting and meaningful conversations about food. Click here to listen. Learn more about Georgian College and the professional bakers of tomorrow here. Listen now!

Members of law enforcement face traumatic incidents quite often as they carry out their duties. But how can we support those members as they return to work? In this episode of Blue Line, The Podcast, editor Brittani Schroeder is joined by Chief Mental Health Officer Derek Sienko and RCMP S/Sgt. Ray Savage to talk about the National Reintegration Program, how first responders return to work after traumatic incidents and the gap that exists between clinicians and employers.

Bakers Journal editor Colleen Cross speaks with Karen Bornarth, Executive Director, Bread Bakers Guild of America, about the BBGA’s Bakery Leadership Circle and an exciting artisan bread panel Karen is leading at the Baking Association of Canada’s Bakery Showcase in Toronto in May. In this podcast we’ll answer these questions and more: What is the Bakery Leadership Circle? Who should participate? What will people gain from this program? How does it work? What’s been the feedback so far from participants? Karen’s talk at the Baking Association of Canada’s Bakery Showcase in Toronto in May, “Lessons from the Bakery Leadership Circle.” What else happening at Showcase, including Karen’s participation in a panel discussion, “The Future of Artisan Baking.” Learn more about the Bakery Leadership Circle and a wealth of events the BBGA hosts every year at bbga.org. Bakery Showcase will take place May 5 and 6 at the Toronto Congress Centre. You can register to attend at bakeryshowcasecanada.ca. We hope to meet many

With the rise in flexible work schedules, hybrid environments and coworking spaces, the need for security is paramount. How can organizations reassure their employees that their belongings are protected, even when they might not be present? Nikki Seidman, Coworking and Corporate Smart Office Engagement Manager for Salto Systems, shares strategies and solutions for employers looking to keep their spaces secure.

Cannabis lawyer Rob Laurie shares his journey into law fueled by a desire to advocate for those without a voice. Between the legal complexities that shape the future, coupled with the challenges of conservative ideologies, still there is hope for progress. Laurie reflects on the importance of bringing authentic experiences to the table, “from Copperhead Road to Wall Street (or Bay Street), and back again.”

VueReal is an organization manufacturing advanced displays using novel transfer technology. The organization is looking to reduce the emissions in LED displays and is working with universities and commercial partners to expand its footprint.

The Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing has developed the TrilliumGIS, an interactive map showing all manufacturing facilities across Ont., and the organization’s Managing Director, Brendan Sweeney, joined us to talk about the implications, its possible uses, and what’s next for his team.

Moral injury is widely understudied, especially where it concerns first responders and veterans. Because of this, moral injury is seen differently by officers, leaders, and clinicians. In this episode of Blue Line, The Podcast, editor Brittani Schroeder is joined by Chief Mental Health Officer Derek Sienko, Lucie Tremblay, who is a retired deputy chief of Via Rail Canada and retired Senior Officer of the Canadian Armed Forces, and Phil Lancaster, a retired police detective, to discuss what changes need to be made in policing organizations to address moral injury.

ventureLAB’s VP of the Hardware Catalyst Initiative, Avinash Persaud, sits down with us to talk about semiconductors, their shortage and ongoing development within Canada, and where the industry is headed as start-ups continue their advanced mfg. journey in Canada.

There are different types of maintenance strategies for a manufacturing facility. Predictive maintenance is a condition-based type of strategy, focused on implementing IoT sensors that read data at all times, enabling an intelligent data acquisition that helps address the issue of having a maintenance worker onsite to monitor or read specific data out of a machine. Industries are looking to implement IIoT strategies through data acquisition, cloud monitoring and big data. In this episode of Machine Language, Juan Carlos Garcia from Omron Automation joins us to discuss how predictive Maintenance helps address the initial stages of moving towards IIoT by acquiring data. We discuss role of IoT sensors in predictive maintenance, communication protocols, the concept of on-the-go analytics, examples where predictive maintenance has led to significant cost and time savings, how predictive maintenance acts as a crucial stepping stone for industries looking to implement IIoT strategies, and more.