Montreal Manufacturing Technology Show 2024 Concludes with Resounding Success, Reporting 40% Growth in Attendance

Showcasing innovation and collaboration in Quebec’s manufacturing sector, the event presented a leading speaker lineup that included executives from Deloitte, Scale AI, NGen, Réseau des Centres d’expertise industrielle, Investissement Quebec and others.

Quebec’s manufacturing sector showcased its vibrancy and growth at the Montreal Manufacturing Technology Show (MMTS) 2024. The event, which wrapped up on June 20, saw a remarkable 40% increase in attendance and an impressive 86% rise in exhibitors compared to the 2022 edition, solidifying its position as Quebec’s premier manufacturing event.

“MMTS 2024 was a tremendous success, bringing together the best and brightest in the manufacturing industry,” said Robert “Bob” Willig, SME executive director and CEO. “We witnessed groundbreaking technologies, shared invaluable insights and built essential connections that will drive the future of manufacturing. The event highlighted the resilience and innovation within Quebec’s manufacturing sector, setting a strong foundation for continued growth and advancement.”

Held from June 18-20 at the Palais des congrès de Montréal, MMTS 2024 brought together over 4,500 industry professionals, 150 suppliers and exhibitors, showcasing the latest advancements in manufacturing technology with over 100 new product demonstrations.

The positive sentiment was echoed in the show’s wide array of educational sessions led by manufacturing industry leaders who shared insights on the latest trends and advancements in manufacturing for future success, including the next level of digital transformation. 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).

The sessions covered a broad spectrum of topics, ensuring there was something for everyone, from seasoned professionals to newcomers in the field. The insights shared by the experts highlighted current challenges and provided actionable solutions and strategies to overcome them.

Daily networking sessions offered attendees the chance to exchange ideas, fostering a sense of community and collaboration. These gatherings 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, especially given that Canada will be the partner country for the next edition of Hannover Messe in 2025. These interactions facilitated knowledge sharing and paved the way for future collaborations that could drive the industry forward.

MMTS 2024 also served as a critical marketplace for equipment decision-makers, with more than 73% of attendees involved in their companies’ purchasing decision-making process. This further established the event’s importance in driving business and technological adoption in the industry, highlighting its significance as a hub for commercial transactions and strategic business discussions.

“At MMTS 2024, we demonstrated the power of collaboration and innovation in Quebec’s manufacturing sector,” said Arjun Hajela, group director of Canadian events at SME, explaining that this year’s event saw MMTS partners double in number, with a strong focus on Quebec-based organizations. “This event has not only highlighted the remarkable capabilities within our industry but has also set the foundation for future growth and advancements. We are committed to fostering these partnerships and driving the evolution of manufacturing in Quebec.”

MMTS 2024 was supported by leading partners: 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), AI 4 Manufacturing Canada, Canada Makes, Next Generation Manufacturing (NGen), Canadian Machine Tool Distributors Association (CMTDA), Canadian Tooling & Machining Association (CTMA), and CWB-EWI.

Plans are already underway for MMTS 2026, promising to build on this year’s event’s successes and drive innovation and growth in the manufacturing sector. Follow MMTS on mmts.ca, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram for the latest on the event and to keep abreast with the most recent developments within manufacturing in Quebec.

About SME:

Established in 1932 as a nonprofit organization, SME represents the entire North American manufacturing industry, including manufacturers, academia, professionals, students, and the communities in which they operate. We believe manufacturing holds the key to economic growth and prosperity, and champion the industry’s potential as a diverse, thriving, and valued ecosystem. SME accelerates new technology adoption and builds North America’s talent and capabilities to advance manufacturing and drive competitiveness, resiliency and national security. SME designs new ways to understand and solve problems, and our solutions advance the next wave of growth in manufacturing. Learn more at SME.org.