2026 CME SMART MANUFACTURING CONFERENCE

Learn how manufacturers are selecting the right digital tools and aligning them with strategic goals.

MODERATOR

Tod Gilbert, President, VMAC Global Technology 

Tod Gilbert, P.Eng joined VMAC as an engineer in 2006. In 2017 he transitioned into the President role and has continued to lead VMAC as an innovative mobile compressed air manufacturer based in Nanaimo, B.C, distributing products globally. He is also the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters advisory board chair for British Columbia.  He holds a Master’s degree in Mechanical & Materials Engineering from Queen’s University and an MBA from Royal Roads University. Tod is passionate about leveraging the incredible talent of Canada’s innovators and recognizing the potential of manufacturing in Canada to create long term sustainable value.

PANELISTS

Sunil Vedula, Co-CEO, NTWIST

Sunil works at the intersection of advanced AI and industrial operations, helping mines and manufacturers achieve higher throughput with lower energy use and emissions. His background spans optimization, product strategy, and deploying AI systems in demanding real-world environments. At NTWIST, he leads the vision behind solutions that deliver measurable, repeatable value for customers. 

Spiros Lenis, Industrial Risk Specialist with Prevention Risk Management Services, WorkSafeBC

Spiros Lenis, CRSP, is an Industrial Risk Specialist with Prevention Risk Management Services at WorkSafeBC. He applies systems thinking and human factors to understand how complex risk emerges in real workplaces, distill risk signals into practical prevention insights, and develop risk intelligence about emerging issues such as mental health.
Since 2018, Spiros has maintained a hands‑on interest in machine learning, using his self‑hosted homelab to learn by deconstructing modern AI tools and local models. He brings that practical experience into the workplace by helping build AI literacy, making the complex technology behind large language models accessible to workplace audiences.
Spiros holds a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety Management with a specialization in Aviation Safety from Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University.

Matthew Howard, Vice-President & General Manager, Columbia Plastics 

Matthew has been with Columbia Plastics Ltd (CPL) since 2014, starting in business development and becoming Vice-President & General Manager in 2019. CPL is one of the largest custom injection molders in Western Canada. Products range from sterilized medical devices to industrial products and complex assemblies in ready for market packaging, producing tens of millions of units annually.

Since 2019 CPL has embarked on a strategic vision of growth, investing in people, automation and molding machinery. With a history of growing long term customer relationships and collaborative data driven analysis the strategic vision at CPL can be supported properly through investment.

Prior to CPL , Matthew worked in the digital sports technology space in Silicon Valley. He holds a master’s degree in sport management from the University of San Francisco and a bachelors degree in political science from the University of Victoria. He is passionate about re-shoring and developing technically advanced manufacturing solutions while building a high functioning team to do CPL’s part in realizing the growth potential of Canadian Manufacturing.

Mehdi Gohardehi, Lean Facilitator, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters 

Mehdi Gohardehi is a Lean Facilitator at Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME), where he supports manufacturing companies across British Columbia in driving operational excellence through Lean principles. With over a decade of experience in manufacturing—including food, automotive, Oil & Gas and industrial sectors—Mehdi combines deep technical expertise with a passion for continuous improvement, workforce development, and practical problem-solving. He is known for facilitating peer councils, delivering Lean training programs, and helping companies integrate Lean thinking into their culture.

Discover programs and financial pathways available to help manufacturers invest in equipment, automation, and digital transformation.

MODERATOR

Eric Poersch, Chief Financial Officer, Falcon Equipment  

Eric Poersch is Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CGA) and senior finance leader with over two decades of experience supporting and scaling Canadian manufacturing and technology-based businesses. In 2018 he joined Falcon Equipment as Chief Financial Officer leading financial strategy, operational improvement, and long‑term value creation for a growing, multi-branch organization.  He has built his career through increasingly senior roles in finance and operations, supporting complex manufacturing environments and high‑tolerance production processes. Over the years, he has led teams across finance, supply chain, corporate development, and operations, contributing to major strategic initiatives such as divestitures, process optimization, and cross‑border business management.

Eric holds a Bachelor of Commerce, a CPA (CGA) designation, and executive training in Mergers & Acquisitions from The Wharton School. He is passionate about Canadian SMEs and is committed to strengthening organizations that create innovation, jobs, and long‑term economic value.

Born and raised in BC, outside of work, Eric enjoys hiking and boating with his family.

Dustin Yerdon, Business Relationship Specialist, City of Surrey

Dustin Yerdon is a Business Relationship Specialist with the City of Surrey, bringing over six years of regional economic development experience. He supports local manufacturers and SMEs by helping them navigate funding programs, connect with Surrey’s innovation ecosystem, and pursue market expansion and technology adoption opportunities. Combining municipal expertise with a private-sector background in proposal development, Dustin advances initiatives such as Innovation Boulevard that help Surrey companies scale, innovate, and compete globally.

Beau Olmstead, Vice President, Commercial Financial Services, Royal Bank of Canada
Beau has been with RBC Royal Bank since 1997, engaged in both the commercial banking and capital markets side of financial services. He has covered many sectors including residential and commercial real estate construction, industrial manufacturing, consumer retail, diversified, health and public sector. Beau currently leads the Commercial banking business for RBC in the Richmond / South Delta markets.
Beau is a member of various associations; Director of the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters Association – BC Division (Policy Committee member); past Director of the Delta Chamber of Commerce (Chair – Governance Committee; Finance Committee member); past Board member/Treasurer of the South Delta Minor Hockey Association, and past hockey Coach.
Before joining RBC in Victoria, Beau completed his Bachelor of Commerce degree, specializing in International Business at the University of Victoria, in conjunction with Kanagawa University in Yokohama, Japan. In addition, Beau completed his Master of Business Administration at Royal Roads University. Beau lives in Tsawwassen with his wife and two young adult children.

Christian Hansen, Regional Director General – Pacific Region, Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED)

Christian Hansen joined Innovation, Science and Economic Development in 2019 and serves as the Pacific Regional Director General. Prior to this position, he was a Canadian Foreign Service officer for 24 years, working in Japan, Norway, Belgium, Ottawa and Vancouver. His most recent assignment was as Regional Director and Senior Trade Commissioner for Global Affairs Canada.

Christian holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) from the University of British Columbia and a Master of Public Policy (International Relations) from Princeton.

Flavio Campagnaro, Director, Project Development (Western Canada), NGen

Flavio Campagnaro, P.Eng., is a technology commercialization leader with experience supporting Canadian deep‑tech companies including Miru, Nano One, and Vive Crop Protection. He has secured more than $20 million in non‑dilutive funding to advance technologies from pilot scale toward market readiness. He is recognized for building high‑impact partnerships that unlock commercialization pathways, including a technology development partnership with NYSE‑listed Mativ that contributed to its strategic investment in Miru. Today, as Director of Project Development (Western Canada) at NGen, Flavio continues to champion Canadian innovators by connecting companies with the resources, capital, and collaborators they need to build world class manufacturing capabilities.

Experience innovation in action with exclusive facility tours, offering a first-hand look at how B.C. manufacturers are applying technology to boost performance and competitiveness. Registrations are now open!

CanCorr

Cancorr offers you the wealth of knowledge and technical expertise gained from our 35 years of operations in the packaging industry through affiliates all over the world. At the heart of CanCorr is our world-class corrugated sheet feeder, and this machine boasts a capacity of 160 million m² per year, a width of up to 112 inches, and manufactures single and double-walled corrugated sheets with B, C, E, F, and T flute configurations.
Our goal is to provide Western Canada with not only the best quality products but also the most environmentally friendly operations. Located at the heart of Vancouver’s industrial hub in South Surrey, our satellite-tracked transport system delivers the fastest turnaround time to always meet your deadlines.

Columbia Plastics - TOUR IS NOW FULL

Columbia Plastics is a privately-held custom injection molding company that has been in business since 1945. Over the years, through their focused continuous improvement initiatives, they have kept abreast of the technological advancements in the industry. Today, Columbia Plastics is recognized not only for the variety of services that they offer their customers (from design review, mold design and build, value-added operations, to final product packaging, etc.), but also for being the first Clean Room (ISO Class 7 (10,000)) molder in Western Canada, mainly serving North America.

John Deere

John Deere Specialty Products (JDSP), located in Langley, British Columbia, has a long-standing history of designing and manufacturing Tracked Forestry Products for global distribution. Established in 1998, our mission has always been to provide safe, high-quality, and durable products to help loggers efficiently supply timber to the market.

Merit Kitchens

For more than 50 years, Merit Kitchens has been shaping kitchens across Canada and the United States with cabinetry built for lasting beauty and everyday performance. As a family-owned Canadian manufacturer, we bring together decades of craftsmanship expertise with the precision of modern production technology.

Every cabinet is built in our Surrey, BC facility, where advanced manufacturing systems work hand-in-hand with skilled craftspeople. This integrated approach allows us to deliver quality, thoughtful design flexibility, and reliable lead times for our network of designers, builders, and dealers.

Rooted in our tradition of craftsmanship and guided by a commitment to continuous improvement, we combine semi-custom versatility with proven manufacturing processes. This balance allows us to offer the design freedom clients want with the reliability our partners depend on.

Today, Merit Kitchens stands as a forward-thinking manufacturer with a clear mission: to create beautiful kitchens while strengthening the communities we serve and preparing for the future of Canadian manufacturing.