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Martinrea’s Rob Wildeboer on Geopolitics, EVs, and Crises
Manage episode 461650449 series 3598860
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Season 11 is kicking off with one of the most important people in Canadian manufacturing today. Rob Wildeboer is the Executive Chair of Vaughan-based Martinrea International, one of the few Canadian companies that consistently make the Auto News ‘Top 100’ Global suppliers list. As we enter what’s sure to be a dynamic year for politics and industry, Rob shares frank opinions on trade & tariffs, geopolitics, the transition to EVs, lessons learned from past crises, and why he’s still bullish about automotive. This episode is guest hosted by Greg Keenan, the Trillium Network’s Strategic Adviser and an automotive industry journalist with three decades of experience at the Globe & Mail.
- 00:22 Reflecting on Season 10
- 01:23 Introducing Rob Wildeboer
- 03:44 Martinrea’s Founding and Expansion Story
- 08:03 The EV Transition
- 10:38 Why EVs Are Doing Well in China
- 12:19 Three Existential Issues Automotive is Facing
- 16:50 Rob’s Insights on the USMCA Renegotiation and Tariff Threats
- 32:10 Is Canada Competitive?
- 34:12 The EV Slowdown’s Impact on Martinrea
- 38:19 Lessons Learned From Past Crises and Future Outlook
Find Out More About Martinrea International
- Martinrea website: martinrea.com
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.
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