Technology and Equipment to Improve Labour Productivity

Stream: Processor

Code:

EMPT-PR-C

For projects to implement advanced manufacturing technologies and equipment to enhance labour productivity.

Who should apply?

Processors with projects in any agri-food sector may apply, but processors with projects in the following sectors* are currently given preference:

• Meat Processing and Meat Product Manufacturing
• Bakeries and Tortilla Manufacturing
• Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food
• Dairy Product Manufacturing

To apply you must

• Be a processor that manufactures products in a facility with fewer than 200 employees
• Have completed an audit, assessment or labour productivity plan that demonstrates the need and impact of the project in addressing current deficiencies, opportunities and risks
• Have baseline Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for productivity, energy usage and waste management
• And meet one of the following criteria at a minimum:
  • Be implementing advanced manufacturing technology, automation or robotics
  • Be an Indigenous partner business
  • Be operating in Northern Ontario

Eligible activities and expenditures

• Capital expenses and installation or configuration costs directly related to improving labour productivity with new automated, advanced manufacturing, robotic equipment and technology and/or software systems*
• Development of new or translation of manufacturing policies, feedback systems, preventative maintenance procedures and standard operational procedures, such as processing standards (time, temperature, speed etc.); proactive, preventative maintenance routines; and employee scheduling systems
• One-time costs associated with training key personnel on project-related new equipment, technology and software systems (e.g., train the trainer)
• One-time labour costs specifically required for the project, such as third party advisory fees
• One-time costs for rental of facilities, processing equipment or machinery required specifically for the project

*Exceptions may apply if your business is an Indigenous partner business, or if your business is operating in northern Ontario

Ineligible activities and expenditures

• Building structure modifications
• Costs and activities associated with expanding facility capacity or output, without increasing the degree of automation or level of productivity
• Costs and activities associated with equipment, technology or software that is not advanced manufacturing/automation and directly related to labour productivity improvements*
  • This includes costs and equipment that are required for the operation of eligible equipment
• Travel and meal costs
• In-kind contributions
• Activities and expenditures as detailed here

Available cost-share

25 per cent, up to a maximum of $200,000

Required documentation

• Audit, assessment or productivity implementation plan that demonstrates the need and impact of the project in addressing current deficiencies, opportunities or risks
• Quote or proposal from third-party organization or consultant, detailing services to be provided costs and outcomes
• Quote detailing costs of equipment and/or technology

Merit assessment criteria

Applications will be assessed against the extent to which:

• Applicants are:
  • Operating in Northern Ontario
  • Indigenous Partners
• Plan, audit or assessments demonstrate need for the project
• Project will lead to significantly enhanced labour productivity and efficiencies
• Project will make a measurable impact on KPIs
• Relevant business impacts are anticipated and have been quantified, such as:
  • Reduced identified risks
  • Job creation or retention
  • Increased sales and revenue
  • Increased profitability
• All components of the project are directly linked to labour productivity improvements
• Equipment or technology components of the project are:
  • leading-edge
  • not widely adopted by the Ontario agri-food industry
    • Incremental changes to equipment models will not be considered leading edge or not widely adopted
• The applicant will share information about the project to benefit the sector or industry (may include news release, an article in a trade magazine, presentations, social media/website, hosting an open house)
• The project will result in secondary benefits for assurance systems and the environment
• Sector specific targeting with current focus on the following; Meat Processing and Meat Product Manufacturing, Bakeries and Tortilla Manufacturing, Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food, or Dairy Product Manufacturing.
• Funding reduces business risk
• Project is aligned with program outcomes
• Resources, experience and skills necessary to oversee and carry out the project are identified
• Project work plans are clearly defined and aligned to project goals

Other useful information:

If you are interested in applying as an Indigenous partner business, or if your business is operating in northern Ontario, contact OMAFRA at 1-877-424-1300 or agpartnership@ontario.ca to discuss costs that are eligible for your application.

Agri-food sectors that are given preference under this Project Category are subject to change.