A Small Manufacturer’s View on Tariffs and Diversification

Making it in Ontario

In this episode, we hear how a small Ontario manufacturer is navigating Canada’s turbulent new trade relationship with the United States.

Dennis Dussin is the President of Vaughan-based Alps Welding—a contract manufacturer that does about half of its business in the United States—and a Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME) board member. Wearing both hats, Dennis shares his diversification playbook, which includes diversifying the company’s markets, industries, and partnerships. He also makes strong cases for why Canada’s manufacturing sector isn’t a small player on the world stage, and why manufacturers should spend more time engaging with peers through organizations like CME. We wrap up with the silver lining that Dennis hopes will come out of this trade war.

We’re launching a new ‘Ask Me Anything’ segment! Send us your questions about Ontario manufacturing by DM’ing us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg

This episode was recorded on March 5, 2025 and originally aired as part of York Region’s The Tariff Impact video podcast series. Find the rest of the series at yorklink.ca/trade/#tariff-impact-podcast.

• 01:07 Call Out For NEW ‘Ask Us Anything’ Segment
• 01:52 About Alps Welding and Dennis’ High Level Take on the Trade War
• 06:57 Alps Welding’s Diverse Industries
• 08:51 Alps Welding’s Current Markets
• 11:31 Diversification’s Most Potent Opportunities and Pressing Challenges
• 15:04 The GTHA’s Remarkably Diverse Industrial Ecosystem
• 18:57 Importance of Ecosystem Organizations Like the CME

Find Out More about Alps Welding and CME

• Alps Welding website: alpswelding.com
• Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters website: cme-mec.ca

Find Out More About Trillium

• Trillium website: trilliummfg.ca
• Trillium GIS: trilliumgis.ca
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg
• X/Twitter: x.com/TrilliumMfg
• Instagram: instagram.com/trilliummfg
• Facebook: facebook.com/trilliummfg
• Old ‘Making it in Ontario’ Episodes: https://soundcloud.com/making-it-in-ontario-past

About the Making it in Ontario Podcast

Making it in Ontario is your window into what's next in manufacturing. Ontario’s economy depends on manufacturing, but the latest research reveals concerning trends that could undermine the sector’s strength—if we don’t address them. Join us as we talk to CEOs and other leaders at the forefront of the sector about productivity, strategy, talent markets and career opportunities, and the role of manufacturing in a prosperous and sustainable future.

This podcast is an initiative of the Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing. It is produced by Storied Places Media.