Plastics & Moldmaking

Our Services for the Plastics and Moldmaking Industry in Canada

At AM Saxum, we help plastics manufacturers and moldmakers unlock operational efficiency, eliminate inefficiencies, and access government funding to support innovation. Our consulting services include Lean Six Sigma implementation and certification, Operational Excellence programs, Lean Leadership development, and expert guidance in securing SR&ED tax credits and other government grants.

The plastics and moldmaking industries face recurring challenges—long setup and changeover times, high scrap and rework rates, inefficient mold maintenance cycles, poor production scheduling, and communication gaps between engineering and production. AM Saxum addresses these issues using proven Lean tools, continuous improvement strategies, and hands-on coaching tailored to your unique operations.

With over 20 years of experience in manufacturing consulting, our Lean transformation programs typically deliver annual savings exceeding 20% of payroll. Collectively, AM Saxum has achieved over $500 million in savings for clients across Lean and government funding services. Our client-centric approach ensures minimal disruption to operations, and our local presence reduces implementation costs. We maintain a 96% approval rate in SR&ED and grant applications, supported by a proprietary tracking system that ensures accuracy and compliance.

If you’re seeking to improve productivity, enhance process performance, and access government funding, AM Saxum is your trusted partner in driving measurable results.

Explore how we can help your business achieve operational excellence and secure funding.

Lean Six Sigma Services for the Plastics & Moldmaking Industry

In the plastics and moldmaking sector, common inefficiencies—such as long mold changeover times, excessive scrap and rework, inefficient setups, high downtime due to maintenance delays, and poor communication between departments—can significantly impact profitability. At AM Saxum, we help you overcome these challenges through customized Lean Six Sigma solutions that streamline operations and improve performance.

Our services include Lean Six Sigma certification, corporate training, and full-scale Lean Organizational Transformation. These programs are supported by comprehensive Operational Excellence frameworks focused on continuous improvement, leadership development, and performance management. We also provide Lean Leadership development to strengthen team collaboration, change management, and conflict resolution capabilities.

Backed by over two decades of experience, our consultants bring hands-on knowledge specific to plastics and moldmaking environments. Our Lean programs consistently deliver annual savings exceeding 20% of payroll, while enhancing EBITDA, cash flow, and company value. For Canadian manufacturers, we also help secure government grants to support Lean initiatives, making transformation both impactful and cost-effective.

With a strong local presence, AM Saxum reduces implementation costs and minimizes disruption to your daily operations.

Discover how AM Saxum can help you elevate operational performance and drive measurable results through Lean Six Sigma in plastics and moldmaking.

Government Grants + SR&ED for the Plastics & Moldmaking Industry

Many manufacturers in the plastics and moldmaking industry miss out on valuable government incentives that can significantly offset the cost of innovation. One of the most impactful programs is Canada’s Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credit, which allows eligible companies to recover up to 42.3% of qualifying R&D expenses.

Common SR&ED-eligible activities in plastics and moldmaking may include:

Developing new plastic products or molds
Redesigning molds to improve durability or reduce cycle time
Optimizing processes—such as changes to cooling systems or material flow
Implementing Lean improvements that increase throughput or reduce inefficiencies
Overcoming technical challenges like warpage, shrinkage, or complex geometries

At AM Saxum, we specialize in securing SR&ED tax credits and other government funding for the plastics and moldmaking sector. With over 20 years of experience, a 96% approval rate, and more than $500 million in savings delivered to clients across our services, we bring unmatched expertise. Our consultants understand your industry and use a proprietary tracking system to ensure claim accuracy and compliance, with minimal disruption to your internal team.

Explore how AM Saxum’s SR&ED consultants can help your business unlock funding for innovation in plastics manufacturing and moldmaking.

What Our Clients Say

“Working with AM Saxum was a turning point for our operations. Their team conducted a comprehensive flow analysis of our plant and helped us redesign our layout using Lean Six Sigma principles. We also received on-site Yellow Belt training, which empowered our team to take an active role in the improvement process. As a metal stamping manufacturer, we greatly benefited from their deep industry insight—resulting in a 55% reduction in internal transportation within our facility and a major gain in efficiency. Their structured methodology and practical recommendations directly boosted our productivity and positioned us to better serve our clients. I highly recommend AM Saxum to any manufacturer looking to reduce waste and elevate operational performance.”

“Working with Henry was an incredibly valuable experience for our tequila production team. What began as a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt training quickly evolved into a full Lean transformation initiative. With Henry’s coaching, we were able to reduce the agave cooking cycle time and streamline the entire production process, from loading to downloading the ovens. His support helped us identify opportunities to eliminate non-value-added activities, improve process consistency, and increase daily output significantly. Henry’s hands-on approach, practical tools, and deep understanding of operational challenges made a real difference. Beyond the technical results, he helped us build confidence in our team’s ability to drive continuous improvement. His guidance was instrumental in achieving a more stable, efficient, and responsive process.”

“Henry played a key role in helping us improve the efficiency of our extraction process in our tequila operations. With his guidance, we were able to significantly reduce the amount of residual sugar left in the agave fiber during milling, which led to measurable gains in tequila yield per batch. His coaching was hands-on, methodical, and tailored to our operational environment. He helped us analyze process variation, identify root causes, and implement improvements that didn’t require immediate capital investment—just better use of data and tools. Thanks to Henry’s support, we moved from project definition through implementation and control with confidence, and the results were not only recognized internally but also approved by our finance team. His approach made Lean Six Sigma practical and effective for our team on the ground.”

"Henry’s support was key in helping us tackle a persistent quality issue in our aging and packaging process at Diageo, a global leader in premium alcoholic beverages. We were facing product rejections due to slight deviations in alcohol content. Through a structured Lean Six Sigma approach, Henry helped us map the entire process, identify sources of alcohol loss, and implement corrective actions. One of the most significant breakthroughs was automating our pumping system, which reduced manual errors and stabilized our process. His coaching was thorough, data-driven, and perfectly aligned with our operational realities. Beyond solving a technical issue, Henry fostered a proactive, analytical culture that has delivered measurable improvements across our operations. His involvement has been a major factor in our success."

“As the CFO of Peter and Paul’s Hospitality Group, I've seen the significant impact AM Saxum has had on our operations. Their Lean transformation initiatives have helped us identify inefficiencies and streamline processes across our organization, including catering, events, retail, and sales. What sets AM Saxum apart is its ability to tailor Lean methodologies to our diverse business models. They’ve optimized inventory at Peter and Paul’s Gifts, digitized operations at Paramount, and established hotel operations at Eaton Hall Country Inn and Spa, all while aligning results with our strategic goals. Their data-driven approach fosters a cultural shift towards continuous improvement, enhancing our operational control as we grow in a competitive market. AM Saxum has become a trusted partner in our evolution, and I’m excited about our future collaboration.”

“Implementing an Operational Excellence program with AM Saxum was a pivotal step for Universal Event Space in the hospitality and entertainment industry. Their deep understanding of Lean Six Sigma—and how to apply it effectively within our sector—helped us adopt practical tools, most notably 5S, to streamline our workplace organization. By reducing the time staff spent searching for setup materials and expanding our kitchen storage space, we realized substantial labor savings and gained enhanced purchasing power to buy in bulk at lower prices. AM Saxum’s hands-on approach and proven experience in business transformation delivered significant cost savings and drove us toward greater operational efficiency. Their support has been a game changer for our event services, setting us on a path of continuous improvement and value creation.”

“Working with AM Saxum has been a transformative experience for Eaton Hall. Their support on our Lean transformation projects—particularly within the kitchen and sales teams—brought clarity to inefficiencies we hadn’t fully seen before. Their hands-on, data-driven approach empowered our team to streamline workflows, reduce delays, and improve overall coordination across departments. What makes AM Saxum truly stand out is how practical and adaptable their tools are. The systems and methodologies we’ve implemented so far have not only elevated our current operations—they will be absolutely critical as we expand and enhance our hotel services. These improvements are laying a strong operational foundation for the future of Eaton Hall as a premier boutique hospitality destination. It’s been a pleasure collaborating with a team that brings both expertise and genuine commitment to our success.”

“Partnering with AM Saxum was a turning point for our operations. Their Lean transformation approach helped us uncover and fix long-standing inefficiencies in our kitchen, catering, and staffing processes. Through a combination of staff training, system redesign, and practical Lean tools, we were able to eliminate manual processes, reduce labor waste, and improve communication across departments. One of the most impactful changes was the integration of visual tools and automation into our CRM system—this drastically reduced errors in the kitchen, streamlined the quoting process in catering, and brought consistency to our event staffing. The overall impact has been substantial, resulting in faster turnaround times, improved team coordination, and a more scalable, guest-focused operation. AM Saxum didn’t just deliver recommendations—they worked closely with our team to implement lasting improvements. I would highly recommend them to any service-oriented business looking to optimize their operations and enhance team performance.”

“AM Saxum delivered a Lean transformation that went far beyond our expectations. Through a combination of Green Belt training and hands-on coaching, they helped us identify and address inefficiencies across production, roto molding, processing (recycling), shipping, and even our front-office workflows. Their team introduced powerful tools like 5S, SMED, and visual workplace systems, which immediately improved our changeover times, reduced scrap and rework, and helped streamline communication across departments. Just as importantly, their approach engaged our employees in the improvement process—giving them the skills and confidence to lead change from within. What impressed me most was the practicality of AM Saxum’s solutions. They didn’t just give us ideas—they gave us implementable systems that are already showing results. I would strongly recommend AM Saxum to any manufacturer looking to increase efficiency, reduce waste, and build a stronger, more agile organization.”

“AM Saxum’s Green Belt training and project coaching made a significant impact on our operations at ADS. As part of the program, I led a project focused on reducing defects in our pipe extrusion process. With AM Saxum’s support, we applied Lean Six Sigma tools to get to the root cause—which was traced back to inadequate cooling from our chiller system. Their structured guidance throughout the root cause analysis helped us identify the issue and implement meaningful corrective actions. The result was a measurable improvement in product quality and a stronger internal capability to solve complex operational problems. I highly recommend AM Saxum to any organization seeking to drive performance improvement through practical Lean Six Sigma applications.”

“I’ve had the opportunity to review AM Saxum’s Green Belt training program, and I was genuinely impressed by its clarity, structure, and real-world applicability. The content strikes an excellent balance between Lean Six Sigma theory and practical tools that teams can use immediately on the shop floor or in office environments. What sets AM Saxum’s training apart is how accessible and actionable it is. The program doesn’t just teach concepts—it equips professionals to lead meaningful improvement projects and deliver measurable results. For any organization looking to build internal capability in process improvement, this training is a strong investment.”

“I found the Lean Six Sigma course, offered by Henry, to be a very informative program that allowed me to gain a clear understanding of the broad range of continuous improvement concepts. The course provided many useful tools to assist in our current roles and practical examples in which they could be applied.”

“I attended Henry’s Lean Six Sigma training which was very structured and well laid out. I liked the examples supporting the methodology that allowed for better understanding. The individual project was an excellent way of putting what I learned into practice. Even better, I was able to relate my learning to an actual situation at work. Henry acted in the capacity of mentor, teacher, as well as very professional in his approach.”

“Henry is a skilled facilitator who provided us with incredibly detailed and valuable Lean Six Sigma training. By sharing his years of multi-industry experience and practical examples and exercises, he helped sharpen my ‘continuous improvement’ skills and really boosted my confidence to pursue my Black Belt.”

“You’re in good hands! Henry’s instructional materials are thorough and designed to meet the needs of his clients. His courses are interactive and collaborative which keep students engaged while still developing strong competencies in areas such as Lean Six Sigma.”

“Mike’s courses, his vast training experience and knowledge have been extremely effective. Our company continues to grow and our employees are more motivated and engaged in their responsibilities. We endorse Mike and his team.”

“Thank you Mike for training our employees to achieve certification to the ISO:9001:2015 standard. Because of your team’s enthusiasm and dynamic training sessions, we exceeded our goals.”

FAQ

Does AM Saxum provide on-site Lean Six Sigma training and certification?

Yes — for businesses, not for individuals. We offer tailored on-site Lean Six Sigma training and certification programs exclusively for companies. Our training is designed to address real operational challenges within your organization and is delivered by experienced consultants with hands-on industry expertise. At this time, we do not offer individual or public courses for private learners.

What types of businesses can benefit from the government grants AM Saxum supports?

Any Canadian for-profit business, across all industries. Whether you’re in manufacturing, tech, healthcare, professional services, or hospitality, your business may be eligible for government grants such as SR&ED or other funding programs. Our expertise covers a wide range of industries, and we handle the full application process. While there are grants available for non-profit organizations, AM Saxum works exclusively with for-profit companies to ensure the highest return on investment and strategic impact.

How long does it take to receive SR&ED funding?

The timeline can vary, but most businesses receive SR&ED refunds within 3 to 6 months of filing their claim. If your company is filing for the first time, or if the CRA requests additional documentation, processing may take slightly longer. AM Saxum streamlines this process by preparing strong, audit-ready claims that reduce the likelihood of delays.

Do you only work with large companies?

Not at all. We work with businesses of all sizes—from small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) to large corporations. Whether you’re a growing business looking to scale more efficiently or a mature organization aiming to improve profitability, our Lean and funding strategies are customized to fit your size, structure, and goals.

How do I know if my business is eligible for SR&ED or other grants?

Eligibility depends on several factors, including your business structure, the nature of your activities, and your location. If you’re conducting R&D, developing new products, or revising existing ones, or implementing new processes, you may qualify. AM Saxum offers a free initial assessment to determine your eligibility and identify the best funding options.

What areas in Canada does AM Saxum serve?

AM Saxum provides Lean Six Sigma consulting and government funding services to businesses across all provinces and territories in Canada. We have consultants based in key regions, allowing us to deliver personalized, on-site support while keeping travel costs low.

Our targeted regions include: 

Province	City
Ontario	Toronto
	Ottawa
	Mississauga
	Hamilton (Burlington)
	Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge
	London
	Windsor
	Guelph
	Brampton
	Markham & Richmond Hill
	Sudbury

Province	City
British Columbia	Vancouver
	Surrey & Burnaby
	Victoria
	Richmond
	Kelowna
	Prince George (Cariboo Region)
	Richmond
	Abbotsford
	Kamloops
	Nanaimo

Province	City
Quebec	Montreal
	Quebec City
	Laval
	Longueuil
	Sherbrooke
	Drummondville
	Trois-Rivieres
	Gatineau
	Granby
	Saguenay

Province	City
Alberta	Calgary
	Edmonton
	Red Deer
	Fort McMurray
	Lethbridge
	Grande Prairie
	Medicine Hat
	Airdrie & Cochrane

Province	City
Manitoba	Winnipeg
	Brandon
	Portage la Prairie
	Steinbach
	Thompson
	Morden and Winkler
	Selkirk
	Dauphin

 Even if your city or province isn’t listed here, rest assured—we support clients nationwide, including in smaller cities and rural areas. Wherever your business is located in Canada, AM Saxum is ready to help you achieve operational excellence and unlock funding opportunities.