Manufacturing industry head’s sudden exit raises questions

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This article was published 11/04/2025 (207 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THE Manitoba operations of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters is without a local leader after the sudden departure of Terry Shaw.

Shaw, the former longtime head of the Manitoba Trucking Association, took over the CME position almost a year ago.

Shaw came into the position with lots of knowledge about running an industry organization and as someone well known to the community.

He was not available for an interview but in a LinkedIn post to his “friends in the community,” Shaw said, “I’m seeking a new role and would appreciate your support.”

Industry leaders expressed dismay at his sudden departure.

Chuck Davidson, the CEO of Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, said he’d met Shaw for drinks a week before and was given no indication that he was leaving CME.

“I thought he’d been doing a good job on behalf of his members,” said Davidson, who had been working with Shaw on initiatives to mitigate the impact of potential U.S. tariffs. “As far as I could see he was a good voice for his industry.”

Dennis Darby, the CEO of Ottawa-based CME’s national organization for the past eight years, said he would not comment on staff changes.

“Terry has left CME and we wish him well in his future endeavours,” said Darby.

CME’s Manitoba office and staff has grown substantially over the years making it one of the largest — if not the largest — provincial chapters in the country despite the fact Manitoba is obviously not the largest manufacturing province.

Among other things CME Manitoba is the organization’s national lean productivity training centre of excellence and puts on the largest annual lean conference.

It also manages Protein MB, the province’s industry-led hub for Manitoba’s sustainable protein industry, and runs Made Safe, a certification program for health and safety services designed specifically for the needs of manufacturers.

Its standing in the provincial business community was underlined by a $1.5-million grant from the province late last month to undertake a made-in-Manitoba program and tariff response supports.

The fact that Shaw’s predecessor, Ron Kozlowsky, was in the job for 19 years and whose own predecessor also served a lengthy tenure, has raised some eyebrows about Shaw’s quick departure.

Otto Kemerle, the chair of CME Manitoba’s advisory board was unavailable for comment. Other members of the advisory board could also not be reached.

Shaw had a reputation as a knowledgeable, good-natured leader with broad industry knowledge and strong communications skills.

When he was hired by CME he took on the added roles of heading CME’s Saskatchewan and Alberta operations as well.

Brittany Scarrow, the head of CME Saskatchewan has been named vice-president of Prairies operations but Darby said, “I’m sure there will be more to come.”

He said, “the Manitoba operation are very important to CME, and it continue to be. We have incredible staff that delivers programs day in and day out.”

CME Manitoba’s relatively prominent role in the Manitoba economy is evidenced by the fact it had a staff of about 40 people in Winnipeg compared to fewer than 10 in Alberta and Saskatchewan combined.

It’s not clear how responsibilities are shared between the provincial chapters and CME’s Ottawa headquarters.

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca