2025 Finalist: Energy, Petrochemicals, Resource Industries
AI-Driven Innovation in Advanced Manufacturing for Energy Tools
Led by Cory Blanchette, Dave Hemmerling, Kent Wilkinson, and Reid Warriner, TAQA Drilling Solutions (Edmonton, Alberta) transformed from a traditional downhole tool maker into a digitally enabled advanced manufacturing leader. The team built a Drilling Centre of Excellence and deployed AI and data-driven workflows to optimize planning, quality, inventory, and delivery boosting efficiency and on-time performance. Their cultural and strategic shift sets a new benchmark for energy-services manufacturing and shows how innovation can revitalize legacy industries in Alberta.
