Sabre event spotlights defence supply chain readiness

Sabre will host a manufacturing and defence supply chain event in Mississauga focused on how Canadian manufacturers can prepare for defence-related opportunities.

The one-day gathering will bring together manufacturers, Microsoft representatives and technology specialists to discuss artificial intelligence, enterprise resource planning systems, cybersecurity and connected manufacturing.

Based in Cambridge, Ontario, Sabre is a Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central implementation partner for manufacturers across North America. The event is aimed at business owners, executives, plant managers, operations leaders, IT professionals and supply chain decision-makers.

The agenda reflects a broader shift in manufacturing, as companies weigh the operational demands of entering more tightly regulated supply chains while modernising internal systems. In the defence sector, suppliers are often expected to demonstrate strong control over inventory, traceability, data protection and record-keeping alongside production capacity.

As a result, more attention is falling on the systems behind factory operations. Manufacturers pursuing defence work may need to show they can manage sensitive information, maintain accurate production records and meet customer and contractual requirements that go beyond delivering parts on time.

Technology focus

Sessions will cover four main themes: AI and manufacturing automation; ERP and connected systems; cybersecurity and CPCSC readiness; and the practical considerations of pursuing defence supply chain contracts.

The programme will examine how AI tools can reduce manual work and improve decision-making, while ERP systems connect production, inventory and financial information. Another stream will focus on the Canadian Program for Cyber Security Certification and the steps manufacturers need to understand when handling defence-related requirements.

The event will also include presentations and demonstrations from Sabre, Sabre IT, Microsoft and other technology partners, including Insight Works and 123 Cyber.

Speakers include Jermaine Clark, Senior Digital Specialist at Microsoft, who is scheduled to deliver a keynote on AI and manufacturing. Robert Jolliffe, Founder of Sabre, will lead sessions on linking the factory floor with Business Central and on using ERP software to manage 3D printing operations.

Jeremy Kennedy, Director of IT at Sabre IT, will present on what manufacturers should know about CPCSC when considering defence contracts. The inclusion of cybersecurity as a core topic underlines how supplier readiness is increasingly judged on digital controls as much as physical production processes.

Operational demands

For small and mid-sized manufacturers, the challenge is often how to introduce new digital tools without adding complexity or cost. Many firms are still working out how to connect older production environments with newer software systems that can provide clearer reporting and more consistent data.

That challenge becomes more acute in sectors such as defence, where procurement expectations can increase pressure on governance, documentation and information security. A manufacturer with suitable machining or fabrication capacity may still need stronger internal systems before it can compete effectively for contracts.

Sabre's event places particular emphasis on the relationship between ERP, cybersecurity and AI rather than treating them as separate investments. The approach reflects the view that production visibility, secure information handling and data-led decision-making depend on one another if manufacturers want reliable day-to-day operations.

Connected systems can help firms bring together purchasing, stock levels, shop floor activity and finance records in a single workflow. That can support traceability and management oversight, both of which are likely to matter when manufacturers are assessed by larger customers in sectors with strict compliance requirements.

Industry backdrop

The focus on defence supply chains comes as Canadian manufacturers continue to look for new end markets while facing pressure to improve efficiency and resilience. Interest in automation and AI has grown across the sector, but adoption often depends on whether companies have sufficient data quality and internal controls in place.

Cybersecurity has also become a more immediate board-level issue for industrial businesses, as attacks on suppliers and critical infrastructure have exposed vulnerabilities in operational and business systems. For firms seeking to work in defence-related areas, those concerns are sharpened by the need to protect potentially sensitive customer and project information.

Founded in 1998, Sabre specialises in ERP deployments for small and midsize manufacturers. Its market position gives it a direct view of how manufacturers are approaching software upgrades, process changes and the governance demands associated with more complex supply chains.

The event aims to connect those technology questions with business readiness rather than present software alone as the answer. By focusing on operational control, production visibility and cybersecurity requirements, the programme suggests manufacturers may need a broader internal overhaul before moving into defence-linked work.