Raves and Rants

As our cover photograph aptly displays, personal protective equipment and tools go hand in hand. So it’s no coincidence that both topics are featured in our first issue of 2004. You’ll find reports of what’s new in both fields, plus a compelling analysis of the trouble you can get into personally if you’re negligent in workplace safety matters. The new federal Bill C-45 could send employees to jail — even maintenance professionals.

Another theme you’ll find in this issue relates to pulp and paper. It starts with the profile of a retrofit of an overseas pulp mill, continues with the case history of The Gazette printing plant in Montreal, and concludes with a brief report from our visit to the popular Exfor trade show at PaperWeek in Montreal in late January.

We’re continually trying to innovate and bring you new perspectives, so this issue introduces a column by maintenance pro Cliff Williams, engineering and maintenance manager of Multipak in Mississauga, Ont. He’s going to tell us over the next several editions about his experience in applying beneficial Lean Manufacturing techniques to maintenance. We’re sure you’ll find it to be an interesting and practical series.

On another note, my comments in “Canada Calling” in December’s Editor’s Perspective struck a nerve with several people. The response so far has been both positive and negative.

We had a couple of complaints from American companies that think we don’t love them any more. Some e-mails from Canadian maintenance managers agreeed with me and complained they’ve already been abandoned by U.S. suppliers who have packed up their Canadian operations and gone home. We also heard from a few companies that are supplying products that are built in this country to serve the MRO marketplace. These are companies that won’t shut the doors and retreat to their motherland a short time after the economy turns sour or there’s a brief downturn in business.

Yes, we do love our U.S. supporters, and realize we depend heavily on their jobs and innovative products. And be clear — we’re not riding an Anti-American, Buy Canadian horse. But we do believe in supporting local companies, and if the company happens to have Canadian ownership, all the better–because they have nowhere to run to if times get rough. And that’s reason enough to support them in good times and bad. We simply plan to tell you who they are.

Am I digging myself into a big hole here with this idea? As always, your thoughts, positive or negative, are very welcome. We’re open to all methods of communication — mail, e-mail, fax or telephone. Here are the co-ordinates: Machinery & Equipment MRO, 1450 Don Mills Rd., Don Mills, ON M3B 2X7; tel. 416-442-2089 (you can leave a message 24/7); fax 416-442-2214; e-mail broebuck@mromagazine.com.

Bill Roebuck, Editor/Associate Publisher