Archives: DCC Success Stories

Company Description – BRAEBON Medical Corporation is a Canadian leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of diagnostic home sleep apnea recorders, high quality diagnostic sleep sensors, accessories, therapeutic intraoral appliances, and software solutions for the sleep medicine marketplace. The company has developed a unique combination of over 140 products at the forefront of sleep medicine technology. Its products are of the highest quality, easy to use, reliable, and well-supported. BRAEBON is an ISO 13485 and CE-compliant company with an international customer base. Its products are currently used across six continents and comply with U.S. FDA, Health Canada, European CE, IEC 60601, and Australian TGA standards.   

Project Description – Through the Digital Modernization Adoption Plan (DMAP), BRAEBON identified the need to modernize one of its products, DentiTrac, due to outdated, manual manufacturing processes that limited scalability. DentiTrac, a wearable micro recorder with a web cloud portal, measures oral appliance compliance for sleep apnea. With DCC’s support, DentiTrac underwent a complete redesign focused on mechanical enclosure design, communication enhancements, app/software/firmware development, and algorithm improvements for compliance and manufacturing tracking. This modernization will streamline production, reduce resource demands, and enhance DentiTrac’s functionality, marketability, and competitive edge. 

Project Impact & Potential Outcomes – As a result of DCC’s support, BRAEBON has significantly enhanced operational efficiency and production capacity through the development of two working prototypes, with one patent pending. As the full benefits of the Technology Demonstration Program (TDP) are realized, production capacity is expected to scale from 160 to 1,500 units per week, a nearly tenfold increase. This growth is projected to generate an additional $5 million in annual revenue over the next five years. Furthermore, DentiTrac’s share of the company’s sales is anticipated to grow significantly from its current 5%, fueling business expansion and job creation. BRAEBON expects to create six new jobs directly attributable to the TDP. 

Company Description – Braam’s Woodcraft Inc. (operating as Braam’s Custom Cabinets) originated in St. Thomas, Ontario, and now operates from multiple locations, including a 47,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in St. Thomas and two showrooms in London and Oakville. The company designs, manufactures, and installs custom cabinets, doors, painted and stained panels, islands, corbels, and related cabinetry for retail customers, custom builders, and developers.  

Homeowners and contractors choose Braam’s for its top-quality products and comprehensive support throughout the process. Braam’s clientele spans cottage country in the Muskoka region, the Greater Toronto Area, London, and Southwestern Ontario, as well as U.S. locations, including New York, Boston, South Carolina, and Florida. 

Project Description – Through the Digital Modernization Adoption Plan (DMAP), Braam’s identified inefficiencies in its manual, paper-based workflows, limited communication, and siloed teams, which caused frequent errors and delays. With DCC’s support, Braam’s implemented digital asset tracking with RFID technology, IoT sensors, and ERP integration, providing real-time access to digital, engineer-adjusted drawings. A key aspect of the modernization plan is replacing all paper drawings with fully digitized versions. These advancements streamline information sharing, improve accuracy, and reduce errors, driving productivity and profitability. 

Project Impact & Potential Outcomes – As a result of DCC’s support, Braam’s has already secured six new clients in Canada and internationally, achieving incremental sales of $3.9 million in Canada alone while creating and retaining seven jobs. The transition from paper to digital, paired with IoT integration for CNC machines, has reduced cutting errors, waste, and disposal costs by over 20%. Job completion times have improved by 25%, decreasing from 16 weeks to 12 weeks, and installation costs and time have also been reduced by 25%. These improvements are projected to boost profits by 50% by the end of the next fiscal year. 

Additionally, employee training on new technology has enhanced workforce value, leading to higher wages and benefits, which support the local economy. New hires, skilled in technology, will begin at higher wages, aligning with the company’s modernization. Improved efficiency and productivity enable Braam’s to focus on expanding its U.S. export market. Ongoing ERP and design program implementation will complete the transition to a paperless environment, supported by continuous staff training. 

Company Description – For over 30 years, Book Depot Inc. has been supplying bargain books to a variety of wholesalers, non-profit literacy foundations and direct consumers world-wide. Book Depot Inc. designs and publishes children’s books under various imprints, builds in-store displays and product assortments for large retailers like Costco, Walmart, TJ Maxx, Winners and Sam’s Club. The company is also a solutions provider for publishers acting as their returns processing facility. 

Project Description – Through a Digital Modernization Adoption Plan (DMAP), Book Depot identified gaps in its procurement, product recommendation relevancy, and merchandising functions as key areas for modernization. With DCC’s support, Book Depot replaced its outdated purchasing order system with web-based software capable of generating spreadsheets and facilitating three-way matching of invoices, manifests, and purchase orders. This seamless integration addresses the challenges of manual data analysis and uncontrolled inventory management, significantly reducing excess waste and high dumping fees. 

Additionally, Book Depot implemented a product discovery and merchandising tool that automates product curation with a focus on personalization. This tool plays a critical role in the company’s customer-facing functionality by enhancing user experience, saving time, and driving higher cart values and repeat purchases. 

Project Impact & Potential Outcomes – As a result of DCC’s support, Book Depot is already delivering dynamic tailored buying experiences for each individual customer, leading to increased sales of $1.97 million in Canada and $1.2 million internationally, contributing to an overall year-over-year sales growth of 27%. Additionally, Book Depot has retained and created 18 jobs. 

By building its digital purchasing order system through the Technology Demonstration Program (TDP), Book Depot has expanded volumes with international discount buyers and transformed previously unsellable products (once destined for recycling or landfill) into valuable inventory for a new bargain retailer. This retailer now receives a committed volume of several hundred thousand pieces reserved exclusively for them each month at a mutually beneficial price point. This initiative not only reduces waste and energy usage but also generates significant cost savings that would otherwise have been spent on trucking and recycling. 

Company Description – Blade Air is a leading manufacturer of high-efficiency indoor air quality (IAQ) solutions, offering a comprehensive portfolio of filtration and air purification products. Based in North York, Ontario, Blade Air focuses on innovative, low-pressure air quality solutions designed to enhance indoor environments in schools, government buildings, and commercial properties. With a strong commitment to advanced technology, Blade Air aims to provide sustainable and scalable IAQ solutions that improve air quality and reduce airborne contaminants.  

Project Description – Through the Digital Modernization Adoption Plan (DMAP), Blade Air identified critical digital gaps including the absence of manufacturing design automation and product configuration tools, connectivity issues, underutilized workforce management, delayed deployment of IoT-enabled filters, and the lack of a self-serve customer portal. These challenges caused frequent errors, time delays, disrupted workflows, lost revenue opportunities, and reduced overall productivity. 

With DCC’s support, Blade Air launched a comprehensive digital transformation focused on automating key business processes, enhancing production workflows and capacity, and improving customer engagement to drive sales growth. Key initiatives included implementing core systems and digital infrastructure for real-time inventory management, automating internal processes, developing a custom self-serve customer portal, upgrading the CRM system, digitizing workforce scheduling, automating payroll, and integrating data flows across departments for better synchronization. 

Project Impact & Potential Outcomes – As a direct result of DCC’s support, Blade Air expanded its customer base by securing 10 new Canadian customers and gaining 1 new international client, generating incremental sales of $1,500,000 domestically and $105,750 internationally. The project also created 5 new jobs, supporting local employment growth, and retained 10 existing positions, maintaining workforce stability during the transformation.  Together, these outcomes underscore the economic value of digital modernization in fostering job creation, enhancing competitiveness, and strengthening Ontario’s position in both national and global markets. 

Company Description – Ben Hokum and Son Limited is a multi-generational, family-owned lumber manufacturer with over 100 employees at its Golden Lake facility near Killaloe. The company operates a sawmill, a dry kiln, and a lumber planing division in Pembroke, producing 40 million board feet of white and red pine lumber annually, with 15 million board feet of dried, graded lumber sold each year. 

Project Description – Through the Digital Modernization Adoption Plan (DMAP), Ben Hokum identified automated lumber grading as its primary modernization need. Currently Ben Hokum’s sawmill does not have the ability to separate grades when lumber is produced and bundled into loads of approximately 1,000 pieces of lumber. A bundle could consist of up to 7 different grades. Bundles must be graded before they go into the dry kiln and then regraded after it comes out to ensure customers receive the appropriate grade ordered, resulting in a very inefficient process.  

With DCC’s support, Ben Hokum installed an automated grading system that uses AI technology to streamline lumber production processes and enhance overall efficiency by speeding up the grading time, increasing volume, significantly reducing costs associated with duplication and manual grading and provide more consistent graded products. By adopting a modern grading system, Ben Hokum benefits from increased quality, reduced waste, real-time data insights, customized grading and scalability, leading to increased customer satisfaction.  

Project Impact & Potential Outcomes – As a result of DCC’s support, Ben Hokum & Son Limited experienced a transformative shift, marked by higher-quality lumber and increased customer satisfaction due to consistent automated grading. At least one new job was created through the need to manage the technical innovations, and 12 jobs were retained as a result of being able to efficiently process lumber in light of the deteriorating markets.  

The digital modernization successfully streamlined production, boosted capacity, and opened doors to new markets, making the company more competitive. Enhanced efficiency and reduced waste generated substantial cost savings, enabling reinvestment in modernization. Moreover, with real-time data insights, the company was able to drive better decision-making, showcasing its position as a forward-thinking leader in the lumber industry. 

Company Description – Bar None Designs Inc. operates a custom design and manufacturing facility for hospitality venues including restaurants, casinos, four and five-star hotels and private luxury homes. Its services include custom millwork, metalwork, decorative glass and furniture. Serving Boston, New York, Florida, Nevada (Las Vegas), and Wyoming (Jackson Hole), the family business has a proven track record and is well-reputed in North America for its value, service and commitment to its clients.  

Project Description– Through the Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan (DMAP), Bar None identified critical digital gaps contributing to slowed operational efficiency and growth potential. Existing platforms for design, manufacturing, inventory, and sales lacked seamless connectivity resulting in inefficient workflows and fragmented data management. Reliance on outdated technologies offered limited to no real-time data accessibility, impacting decision-making and agility adapting to changes in production requirements or customer needs.   

With DCC’s support, Bar None will upgrade and implement digital asset tracking, cloud computing, ICT, and ERP technologies to track products and collect, organize, and distribute information in real-time, achieving Industry 4.0 standards. By digitally modernizing its manufacturing plant, Bar None will streamline operations, optimize resource use, reduce waste, improve communication and foster a collaborative work environment attributing to a more competitive and productive business.  

Project Impact & Potential Outcomes – As a result of DCC’s support, Bar None has already secured new customers, generating $5 million in additional sales and hired 10 new employees to support the company’s growth.  

Through the Technology Demonstration Program (TDP), Bar None successfully implemented digital asset tracking, 3D CAD, cloud computing and ERP solutions. With these advancements, Bar None can efficiently and more precisely price jobs to maintain industry competitiveness and ensure timely completion of tender responses with shorter deadlines. Additionally, having a more reliable inventory system is ensuring project timelines are met while eliminating costs for obsolete inventories.  

Overall, digital modernization has driven business growth by expanding manufacturing capacity, improving cost efficiencies, and enabling Bar None to bid for and undertake new projects with greater precision and speed. 

Company Description – Arconas is a privately-owned manufacturer of specialized seating, power and furniture solutions for airports, transportation terminals and other public waiting areas. Arconas raises the value of public spaces by providing products that are high-design, innovative and durable that incorporate the latest in power technology. The company is dedicated to enhancing the passenger experience from arrival to departure with a suite of quality seating, power, waste, recycling, and counter solutions.  

Project Description – Through the Digital Modernization Adoption Plan (DMAP), Arconas identified its unintegrated ERP software as the primary modernization need. Multiple disconnected digital systems across departments resulted in manual effort, duplication, and errors. With DCC’s support, Arconas implemented a unified ERP system with built-in CRM and CPQ components, eliminating the need for data transfer between systems. The CPQ software enables accurate quotes for customizable products and provides clients with 2D design visuals. This modernization centralizes customer-related information, reduces manual data entry and errors, enhances customer relations, and improves overall efficiency. 

Project Impact & Potential Outcomes – With DCC’s support, Arconas has significantly improved operational efficiency, achieving a 5% increase in sales, including $40,843 in Canada and $1,079,243 internationally. The company has also secured two new customers in Canada and 10 internationally, along with creating five new full-time positions, with the potential to add three more. 

With the success of the Technology Demonstration Program (TDP), Arconas has been able to reinvest funds to further enhance its innovation. As the full benefits of the digital technology continue to be realized, Arconas projects sales to double, with an additional 8% increase in incremental sales anticipated within the next six months. 

Company Description – Amber Stairs & Railings Inc. specializes in the design, manufacture, and installation of custom stairs and railings for residential and commercial properties. Their product range spans traditional to modern stair systems, utilizing materials such as wood, metal, and glass to meet both aesthetic and functional client needs. They provide a comprehensive service that includes consultation, CAD-based design, manufacturing, and installation, ensuring a tailored fit for new constructions, renovations, or upgrades. 

Project Description – Through the Digital Modernization Adoption Plan (DMAP), Amber Stairs identified critical digital gaps caused by siloed, manual, and paper-based information exchange between the office and shop floor. These inefficiencies led to costing errors, limited communication, and resource waste. Additionally, the lack of integration among Amber’s information systems resulted in excessive administrative work and poor data organization and sharing. 

With DCC’s support, Amber Stairs implemented Digital 3D Laser Scanning and Asset Tracking technology, ERP system integration, and cloud computing. The Digital 3D Laser Scanner significantly reduces manual measurement errors for staircase installations, enhancing accuracy and lowering liability risks from design inaccuracies. Cloud computing facilitates real-time information sharing across departments, improving decision-making, productivity, and customer satisfaction. Integrating these technologies with an ERP system enables seamless real-time data flow from the shop floor through shipping, streamlining manufacturing routing, inventory management, installation processes, and overall operational efficiency. 

Project Impact & Potential Outcomes – As a result of DCC’s support, Amber Stairs has secured 14 new clients domestically and internationally, generating incremental sales of $800K in Canada and $500K abroad, while creating 4 new jobs and retaining 32 existing positions. The adoption of digital 3D laser technology is expected to distinguish Amber Stairs as a leader in producing and supplying custom stairs, setting it apart from competitors. This strategic digital transformation positions Amber Stairs & Railings Inc. at the forefront of technological innovation in the industry, promising strong returns on investment, enhanced competitive advantage, and improved customer satisfaction. 

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.