Company Description – ABS Machining Inc. is a leading heavy equipment machining and fabrication company with a 50-year legacy of manufacturing world-class, large-scale machined parts. Operating across six facilities in Mississauga and Burlington, ABS specializes in producing assemblies for power generation, oil and gas, mining, and steel mill operations. Recognized as Ontario’s premier machining, milling, and fabrication provider for components exceeding 2 cubic meters in volume, ABS has delivered key projects, including power generation turbines for Ontario Power Generation and heavy equipment tractor assemblies for Caterpillar. Employing over 260 staff, 220 of whom are highly skilled machinists, millwrights, and fabricators, ABS is leveraging its reputation and success to drive an aggressive growth strategy, investing in modern equipment and two new factories in Southern Ontario, with further expansion planned. 

Project Description – Through the Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan (DMAP), ABS identified the need to upgrade and expand its existing ERP system to enhance efficiency and streamline operations. Currently, workflows rely on manual paperwork handled by over four personnel, limiting productivity. The existing ERP lacks the capabilities to support ABS’s evolving needs. Digitizing floor operations and upgrading the ERP will significantly boost productivity impact, enabling skilled tradespeople to focus on their core expertise. 

Project Impact & Projected Outcomes – As a result of DCC’s support, ABS Machining has successfully digitized workflows, upgraded systems, and integrated cutting-edge digital tools. This modernization has boosted labour efficiency, reallocating at least three full-time employees (FTEs) to sales operations and saving the equivalent of two FTEs in scheduling, allowing managers to focus on execution. 

As the full benefits of the shop floor digitization are realized, ABS forecasts a $2M increase in product exports and green energy projects, alongside a $6M increase in rare earth mineral mining equipment sales by 2025.