2025 Heavy Vehicle and Equipment Technology Conference

This 2-day event brings together the heavy equipment and vehicle manufacturing industry in Manitoba to highlight R&D work along the path to zero emissions. Join us to discuss how smart, connected and autonomous technologies are changing the products we build and how digital technologies are transforming low volume custom manufacturing. Listen to and engage with local and international speakers presenting on a wide variety of topics including their challenges and success stories developing and adopting innovative technology. Connect with peers, partners and problem solvers to drive our industry into a greener and more prosperous tomorrow!

Info: • Honourable Jamie Moses, Minister of Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation of Manitoba
• Ron Vanderwees, President and CEO, Vehicle Technology Centre
• Jolen Galaugher, PhD. Executive Director, Research Partnerships & Innovation (RPI), RRC Polytech

Info: Jim Nebergall is a driven leader with a deep passion for innovation and environmental sustainability. As the Executive Director of Market Strategy for North America On-Highway at Cummins Inc., Jim leads the company’s efforts to commercialize internal combustion engine-based powertrains fueled by both conventional and alternative fuels. He oversees a diverse portfolio that includes advanced diesel, natural gas, hydrogen, and hybrid powertrains, and strongly believes that internal combustion engine-based solutions play a key role in the company's and market’s path to decarbonization. His work is central to Cummins' mission of advancing clean energy technologies while maintaining high performance and customer satisfaction.

Info: Brydon Owen joined New Flyer in 2005, and since then has advanced through engineering leadership roles in design, electrical integration, electrical engineering, production, and new product development, most recently serving as Chief Engineer, Electrical Engineering. In his current role as Director of Electrical Engineering, Brydon oversees development and execution of New Flyer’s long-term technology roadmap, Brydon is an expert in advanced control systems and holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering (B.Sc.) from the University of Manitoba, a Master of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (MASc) from the University of Toronto and is an accredited Professional Engineer. He was named to Mass Transit’s prestigious Top 40 Under 40 list. Brydon is also a certified functional safety professional and has complete Level 2 ISO21434 Automotive Vehicle Cybersecurity Professional Certification Training.

Info: James has more than 15 years of mechanical experience in the rail industry. As the Director of Mechanical & Equipment for Cando Rail & Terminals, James ensures Cando’s locomotive and equipment fleet provides exceptional service to new and existing customers. James leads Cando’s efforts to have safe, reliable, and lower-emission locomotives and equipment in the field, which includes overseeing the development of Cando’s battery-powered locomotive, the first of its kind in Canada. Prior to his current role, James joined Cando’s mechanical team in 2013 after working for CN as a Mechanical Supervisor of railcars at Symington Yard in Winnipeg for three years and for VIA as a Mechanical Supervisor for railcars and locomotives for one year. Since joining Cando, James has been instrumental in growing Cando’s locomotive fleet into the third largest in Canada, while at the same time ensuring the highest level of customer satisfaction.

Info: Rachit Khanna is the Sales Manager, Transit for ABB E-Mobility in Central Canada and Michigan United States, responsible for driving sales, managing key accounts, and leading business development initiatives for electric bus across the region. Rachit joined ABB in 2022, bringing with him over a decade of diverse experience across sales, business development, and policy in the mobility and automotive sectors. He holds an MBA in International Business and Marketing, and began his journey in the electric vehicle (EV) industry in 2017. Rachit’s deep understanding of the EV ecosystem, combined with his strategic approach to sales and policy, continues to support the growth of sustainable transportation solutions in Canada.

Info: Dr. Carl Ho received his B.Eng., M.Eng., and Ph.D. degrees in Electronic Engineering from the City University of Hong Kong. He has held prominent roles in both industry and academia, including serving as a Principal Scientist at ABB Switzerland and as a Canada Research Chair at the University of Manitoba. Currently, Dr. Ho is a Professor and Associate Head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Manitoba. His research spans several cutting-edge areas, including microgrid technologies, renewable energy systems, real-time digital simulation, heavy-duty electric vehicles (EVs), and applications of wide-bandgap (WBG) power semiconductors.

Info: Abdel Osman has been with Versatile since 2007. Abdel is a P.Eng. and holds post graduate degrees (M.Sc.) in machinery systems. He is now serving as the Director of Engineering of the Versatile Division. Abdel has 14+ years of proven experience with Versatile managing product developments from concept to launch, including the introduction of CVT tractor models to the product line. He has been actively involved in ISO standards development committees as well as AEM agricultural product safety and compliance councils. He is currently serving as a chair of tractor mirror committees at SCC (Standards Council of Canada).

Info: Ryan Georgison, (B.Eng., MSc., P.Eng) has supported the agricultural industry’s through the pursuit of improving agricultural equipment throughout his career. He has been with MacDon Industries for the past 16 years, carrying out a wide range of roles in Product Design and Management. Ryan currently manages the R&D Team at MacDon Industries Ltd. where they focus on new concepts and technologies.

Info: President and co-founder of Mojow Technology. 15+ years of Ag-Tech experience leading product development teams within Western Canada and 9+ years of experience working with artificial intelligence and robotic software development teams within Ag-Tech. Formerly, he was the Director of Product Innovation and Development at DOT Technology Corp for 5 years. Here, he recruited and managed a team of 20 people in developing an autonomous power platform for broad acre farming application. DOT Technology Corp was successfully sold to Raven Industries in late 2019. He was formerly a Grain Farmer and Owner/operator of a 3000-acre grain farm in Saskatchewan for 17 years.

Info: Dr. Hussein is a dedicated researcher at the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), with a specialization in Electrification and Intelligent Transportation Systems. His expertise lies in the realm of electric transportation, particularly focusing on operational performance and system degradation. He earned his Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Polytechnique Montreal in 2022. Dr. Hussein's work is centered on system modeling, intelligent control, and applied machine learning, all aimed at enhancing the systems operational performance. His contributions continue to drive innovation and efficiency in the field of electric transportation.

Info: • Brian L’Heureux is lead electrical engineer at Fort Garry Fire Trucks. With over 30 years of experience in electrical design, 26 years of this in the emergency apparatus sector working for Fort Garry Fire Trucks, has led various APU projects. He holds a Instrumentation Engineering Technologist diploma from RRC Polytech.

• Vasyl Panko is a electrical engineer at Fork Garry Fire Trucks, He received his Industrial electronics engineering degree from Donetsk Technical University in 2005, Has worked since in the electrical sector in Ukraine, Georgia and entering Canada in 2023 obtaining a wide verity of knowledge in his journey. He has had hands on involvement in programming and design of FGFT newest APU.

Info: Frederic Delrieu is a Mechanical Engineering graduate from the Ecole Centrale de Lille with 30 years of experience in the automotive and transport industry across France, South Korea, and Canada. He has held key roles in electromobility since 2010, leading major projects at Renault, Nova Bus (Volvo Group), and Nordresa/Dana, including the AZETEC hydrogen-powered truck. In 2021, he founded Amp&Axle Consulting and is currently co-founder and COO of Elemental Trucks, a Canadian manufacturer of hydrogen-powered heavy trucks.

Info: Connect with conference participants. Enjoy an appetizer/cocktail.

Info: Jojo Delos Reyes has been part of the Research Partnerships & Innovation (RPI) group at RRC Polytech for over a decade, and as Research Program Manager oversees applied research projects, specially focusing on the shift to electrification and alternative fuel sources at the Vehicle Technology & Energy Centre (VTEC). VTEC enables organizations to carry out their vision through technology validation, expertise in technical services and training. Delos Reyes also sits on the board for the Vehicle Technology Centre (VTCI), a non-profit organization that supports technological advancement within Manitoba’s heavy vehicle manufacturing industry.

Info: Cameron Bergen is the CEO of Mode40, a digital transformation firm turning data into profit for global manufacturers. He leads initiatives in MES, agentic AI, and Industry 4.0, building large-scale consortiums with NRC, IRAP, and industry partners. With expertise spanning OT networks, IoT integration, and advanced analytics, Cameron drives innovation across manufacturing in Canada and beyond.

Info: Busayo is a Research Technologist with the Centre for Automation and Manufacturing Technology Transfer (CAMTT) department at RRC Polytech, specializing in the application of Artificial Intelligence within the manufacturing sector. My work emphasizes the development of practical, real-world AI solutions that enhance efficiency and innovation in industrial processes with expertise extending across manufacturing, healthcare, and finance.

Info: Vern Campbell, MBA, DBA, P.Eng., is Principal of Process Management Consultancy and Engineer in Residence with the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Manitoba, where he teaches Operational Excellence and Sustainable Lean Management in both Engineering and MBA programs. His doctorate research focused on the Critical Success Factors and Challenges to Industry 4.0 adoption. With over 35 years of leadership in strategy, KPI systems, problem solving, and process improvement, Vern has driven transformative results across industries. He brings a proven record of turning vision into measurable performance and sustainable organizational success.

Info: James Fedirchuk P.Eng. Director of Automation Innovair Automation
U of M grad from Mechanical engineering, specializing in welding automation in Western Canada for over 18 years. Focused on helping manufacturers use robotics in high-mix, low-volume applications.

Info: Since graduating from the University of Saskatchewan in 2017 with a degree in Electrical Engineering, Ian Abbott has been working at MacDon Industries. Starting out in the Current Products Design Engineering group, Ian gained experience working with the product, customers, and production. Now, Ian leads a Manufacturing Engineering team whose purpose is to use Technology to support and advance MacDon’s manufacturing capabilities.

Info: Technical Sales Representative at Lincoln Electric. Results driven technical sales professional striving to provide operational excellence to both internal and external customers. Working to improve productivity and profitability for Lincoln Electric and its customers. Curious about various aspects of business and eager to learn. Committed to take sustainability consideration into technical and commercial decisions to ensure long term business performance.

Info: Marko Zivaljic oversees the commercial vehicles market in North and South America at Sika. He has 20 years of experience in adhesives, sealing, and bonding in vehicle design and manufacturing. He works with customers to replace welding and mechanical fixtures with adhesive bonding, improving how vehicles are built.

Host or Publisher Vehicle Technology Centre