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Monday, October 17, 2005

WINDSOR, ON, Oct. 17 /CNW/ - A new heavy-truck manufacturing research centre will boost innovation and prosperity in Ontario, Minister of Economic Development and Trade Joseph Cordiano announced today at the facility's official opening.

"This new Centre for Innovation is another key building block that's strengthening Ontario's innovation economy," Cordiano said. "We know the jurisdictions that invest in innovation will be the ones that create the best jobs and enjoy the highest quality of life. And we know that companies, governments and universities each need to participate."

Ontario has contributed a total of $32 million to International Truck and Engine Corporation's investment in Ontario. Of the $32 million, $27 million support the centre for innovation located at the University of Windsor, and $5 million go toward skills training at the company's Chatham assembly facility.

Joining Minister Cordiano at the official opening were senior officials for International and Windsor MPPs Sandra Pupatello and Dwight Duncan.

"This is great news for our community. It is an investment that is going to bring Windsor one step closer to becoming the intellectual capital of Canada's automotive and manufacturing sector," said Windsor West MPP Sandra Pupatello.

"This partnership is a sign of our government's commitment to innovation," said Dwight Duncan, MPP for Windsor-St. Clair. "This new centre will benefit from a stronger link between universities and industry and will create a stronger economy for both Windsor and the province of Ontario."

The new centre for innovation in advanced heavy truck manufacturing at the university is the result of an International Truck and Engine Corporation decision to transfer part of its research and development activity from Ohio to Ontario.

The centre will support International's heavy truck manufacturing plant in Chatham and test new environmental technologies that will reduce diesel emissions to meet new environmental standards. The centre for innovation will employ a minimum of 25 staff and a number of students.

This week, the International Truck and Engine Corporation Centre for Innovation will host a technology symposium to identify specific goals and projects to be undertaken at the centre.

"Our government shares the confidence that International Truck and Engine has in the Ontario workforce and our innovative thinkers," Cordiano said. "This is part of the critical mass that our outstanding auto industry is gathering in Ontario. Our government is proud to be a partner in this critical industry."

    Disponible en français

                            www.ontariocanada.com


    Backgrounder
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              ADVANCING INNOVATION IN HEAVY TRUCK MANUFACTURING

Ontario is making strategic investments of $27 million to support the establishment of a new Centre for Innovation in advanced heavy-duty truck manufacturing located at the University of Windsor.

International Truck and Engine Corporation Centre for Innovation

International Truck and Engine Corporation is establishing a new Centre for Innovation at the University of Windsor. The new facility replaces the company's Process Engineering Centre in Ohio, and will employ a minimum of 25 staff as well as students, company representatives from some of the company's U.S. locations, and engineers from the Chatham assembly facility. Students and staff will focus on the development and design of advanced manufacturing technologies for heavy-duty trucks.

The Centre for Innovation will undertake specific projects focused on diesel engine technologies that reduce emissions, and help build the critical mass of innovation activity that International's heavy-duty truck assembly plant in Chatham will rely on for years to come. The company will disperse research and prototypes developed at the Windsor Centre for Innovation to its operations across North America.

Skills Training

Ontario's investments also included an additional $5 million to boost the skills of workers at International's Chatham truck plant.

Ensuring a vibrant heavy-duty truck industry secures good, high-paying jobs for Ontarians in the research, engineering, design, parts and manufacturing sectors. It also supports Ontario's economic prosperity as the majority of our goods are exported by truck to our markets across North America.

Ontario Investments

Ontario's total investment in International Truck and Engine Corporation is $32 million. $5 million for skills training at the company's Chatham truck assembly facility, announced in May 2005, and $27 million to support the innovation centre located at the University of Windsor.

Disponible en français

                            www.ontariocanada.com

For further information: Contacts: Molly Finlay, Minister's Office, (416) 325-6706; Lisa Roberts, Communications, (416) 325-8773

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