HIGH QA BRINGS REVOLUTIONARY QMS INTO CANADA

PR Newswire | October 20, 2023

Nulogy, a leading provider of supply chain collaboration solutions, and Formic, a leading robotics company accelerating the adoption of automation across American manufacturing, today announced a strategic partnership to jointly strengthen the world's manufacturing supply chains through their respective SaaS (Software as a Service) and RaaS (Robotics as a Service) product offerings. Together, Nulogy and Formic will empower customers to implement value-driven digital shop floor solutions with speed, agility, and flexibility – without requiring outsized capital investment. As manufacturers and their supply chain partners continue to grapple with labor shortages, intense competition, and shifting customer demands, many businesses are turning to technology for a competitive advantage in cost, efficiency, and customer service. "Manufacturing cannot survive without automation, whether it's automated data flow or physical automation on the production floor," says Misa Ilkhechi, Formic co-founder and VP of Sales. "At Formic, we're focused on finding ways to make it ten times faster, easier, and cheaper to deploy a robot and increase productivity. We are excited to work with Nulogy, whose real-time data visibility and dynamic collaboration will add time to value for our customers." This partnership between Nulogy and Formic will present contract logistics providers, contract packagers, contract manufacturers, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) brands with a cohesive suite of automation capabilities—including shop floor data and workflow automation through Nulogy's cloud-based platform and physical production floor automation through Formic's array of accessible robotics solutions. "Manufacturers and packagers in today's consumer market can no longer afford to ignore the agility and competitive edge that data automation offers," says Jason Tham, CEO and co-founder of Nulogy. "The shop floor efficiencies gained by Formic's robotics technology combined with Nulogy's collaborative platform present a powerful, scalable solution for companies to operate with greater efficiency, accuracy, and flexibility." Formic's Robotics as a Service Leveraging world-class engineering expertise, on-site customer support, and monitoring technology, Formic's RaaS offering delivers full-functioning robotic solutions to customers who pay as low as $8/hour for usage. Formic programs, installs, and maintains all its systems at its own cost, which means manufacturers receive unlimited, 24/7 service and do not pay anything until and unless their operational output meets performance guarantees. Nulogy's Multi-Enterprise Platform Nulogy is the only purpose-built multi-enterprise collaboration platform for supplier networks and digitally enables FMCG companies and their external supplier networks to collaborate seamlessly on a centralized, data-driven, AI-enabled platform. Nulogy's solutions run within the supply networks of global FMCG leaders such as L'Oréal, Colgate-Palmolive, and Church & Dwight, as well as hundreds of supplier sites around the world. About Nulogy Nulogy, a leading supplier of digital supply chain solutions, enables fast-moving consumer goods companies and their supplier communities to collaborate on a multi-enterprise platform in order to deliver with excellence to an ever-changing consumer market. Nulogy's cloud-based platform optimizes upstream supply ecosystems composed of brand manufacturers, contract manufacturers and packagers, third party logistics providers, raw material and packaging suppliers to accelerate supply chain responsiveness and collaborate at the speed of today's market. About Formic Founded in 2020, Formic is accelerating the adoption of automation across small to mid-sized U.S. manufacturers and boosting productivity by removing the risk, complexity, upfront capital, and expertise that typically exist as barriers to onboarding this technology. The company's "Robotics-as-a-Service" model delivers customized robots at a low hourly rate, with guaranteed uptime. With a full-service offering that includes everything from planning and deployment to maintenance and upgrades, Formic is creating an innovative and accessible competitive advantage for small and mid-sized factories to ensure they stay relevant and thrive in any economy.

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Smart Factory

GlobeNewswire | September 29, 2023

Draganfly Inc., award-winning, industry-leading drone solutions, and systems developer, is pleased to announce its new manufacturing and production facility in Saskatoon has officially opened and extend our gratitude to all our distinguished guests who celebrated this milestone with us. The Company is deeply honored that guests, including industry leaders, local officials, and valued partners, joined the ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the official launch of this state-of-the-art manufacturing and production facility. The Saskatoon facility promises to enhance manufacturing capabilities, streamline assembly processes, support R&D capabilities, and optimize integration procedures to establish a fresh approach to efficiency and innovation. This facility will focus on meeting the rising demand for Draganfly’s UAV systems and components, such as the Heavy Lift, Commander 3 XL, Commander XL Hybrid, and its new Precision Delivery System. “We are proud that Draganfly’s world-leading drone solutions are being built in Saskatoon,” Minister of Trade and Export Development Jeremy Harrison said. “This state-of-the-art technology shows what’s possible when you have innovative, forward-thinking ideas, and a competitive business environment that helps you achieve them. This investment will further build and protect this province’s economic future.” "Inaugurating the Saskatoon facility marks a pivotal moment for Draganfly as we embark on a journey of elevated manufacturing standards. This facility is not just a promise but a testament to our unwavering commitment to meet the demand for our UAV systems and components,” said Cameron Chell, Draganfly CEO. About Draganfly Draganfly Inc. is the creator of quality, cutting-edge drone solutions, software, and AI systems that revolutionize how organizations can do business and service their stakeholders. Recognized as being at the forefront of technology for over 24 years, Draganfly is an award-winning industry leader serving the public safety, agriculture, industrial inspections, security, mapping, and surveying markets. Draganfly is a company driven by passion, ingenuity, and the need to provide efficient solutions and first-class services to its customers around the world with the goal of saving time, money, and lives.

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Procurement & Supply Chain

American Battery Solutions | October 09, 2023

American Battery Solutions (ABS) has signed a multi-year contract with NFI Group Inc. to provide custom battery packs for New Flyer's battery-electric transit buses, providing clean power. ABS will manufacture the batteries at its plant in Springboro, OH, with the engineering and development center located in Lake Orion, MI. It will supply Li-Ion batteries for NFI's 35-, 40-, and 60-foot battery-electric transit buses. The production is set to begin in the third quarter of 2023, with deliveries starting in the first quarter of 2024. According to CALSTART's annual ‘Zeroing in on ZEBs’ report, the market for electric buses in North America has passed the ‘tipping point,’ with more than 5,480 zero-emission transit buses on the road by the end of 2022. NFI anticipates that 40% of its 2025 production will consist of zero-emission buses, and is spearheading the North American transition to zero-emission public transportation. Paul Soubry, President and CEO at NFI, stated that the demand for battery-electric buses was rising. NFI was at the forefront of driving the transition to zero-emission public transportation in North America. He mentioned that their partnership with ABS would grant NFI the necessary capacity, flexibility, and resilience required as they increased production at their facilities throughout North America. Soubry noted that ABS had made substantial investments in their pack assembly and battery technology, offering NFI cutting-edge solutions within the industry. He expressed anticipation for collaborating with ABS to advance battery technology within the public transportation sector. The scalable custom-designed pack solution is based on the ABS ProLiance Intelligent Battery SeriesTM architecture. It fits within NFI's existing battery enclosure design, providing an alternate supply source for NFI's battery-electric bus contracts and opening the door for potential technology enhancements. ABS has secured the cell supply through strategic alliances with world-class cell manufacturers. These partnerships have ratified long-term supply agreements that guarantee cell supply through the end of the decade, supporting ABS's NFI ramp and other customer programs. NFI's turnkey smart charging services have provided over 410 chargers to NFI's battery and fuel cell-electric buses and coaches, which have travelled over 120 million electric service kilometers. With electric vehicles in over 140 cities in six countries, NFI leads zero-emission mobility. About American Battery Solutions American Battery Solutions (ABS) specializes in designing and producing modular battery solutions, primarily serving the transportation, industrial, and commercial sectors across North America and Europe. The ABS team comprises renowned experts in battery systems, boasting extensive experience in advanced battery systems' design, development, and high-volume manufacturing. They have channeled their expertise into the transportation segments, focusing on module production, pack assembly, and seamless customer integration. Operating from a substantial 120,000 sq. ft. technical center in Michigan and 170,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art battery manufacturing facility in Ohio, ABS has a robust presence.

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Operations

Accruent | September 13, 2023

Accruent, a leading provider of intelligent solutions for the built environment, has announced the full integration of its Maintenance Connection CMMS with the Meridian engineering document management system (EDMS) and vx Observe IoT platforms. This integration marks a significant step in Accruent's commitment to enhancing efficiency and collaboration among operations, maintenance, and engineering teams in the manufacturing industry while ensuring compliance. Chief Product Technology Officer at Accruent, Richard Leurig, remarked, We are excited to introduce this transformative integration that exemplifies our commitment to innovation, collaboration, and regulatory compliance. [Source: GlobeNewswire] He added that by integrating seamlessly the Maintenance Connection, Meridian, and vx Observe, they empower their customers with a comprehensive solution that boosts their operational efficiency and helps them navigate the complexities of regulatory standards. This empowers maintenance teams to efficiently manage asset documentation, access IoT data, and achieve compliance with industry standards, ultimately improving operational efficiency. Traditionally, users of Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) faced challenges when switching between CMMS platforms and engineering document management or IoT software. This often led to inefficiencies and difficulties in accessing critical documents on-site. By integrating Accruent's EDMS and IoT solutions with Maintenance Connection CMMS, a centralized platform is created. This enables maintenance teams to effortlessly access, visualize, update, and review all asset documentation from a single location, significantly reducing downtime and enhancing technician efficiency. The IoT integration also provides easy access to energy and remote monitoring for early detection and resolution of potential asset failures. Accruent's integration solutions are designed to streamline operations in manufacturing industries, benefiting organizations worldwide. This integration aligns with Accruent's commitment to innovation, collaboration, and regulatory compliance. These integrations are part of a broader initiative to help organizations achieve compliance under 21 CFR part 11. Accruent's dedication to providing cutting-edge technologies underscores its commitment to helping organizations succeed and address industry-specific challenges in the manufacturing sector. About Accruent Accruent is globally renowned as the foremost provider of software solutions that unify the built environment. Their comprehensive offerings encompass workplace management, asset management, and both physical and digital applications. Accruent is at the forefront of redefining how organizations harness data to revolutionize facility and asset management practices. It provides solutions to a customer base of over 5,000 organizations spanning industries in more than 150 countries.

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