Saskatchewan Lean Improvements in Manufacturing

The Saskatchewan Lean Improvements in Manufacturing (SLIM) program provides funding assistance to agri-businesses for adoption of best practices, new state-of-the-art technologies and processes that stimulate significant improvements in productivity and efficiency.

Program Objectives

Assist Agri-businesses in adopting best practices, new state-of-the-art technologies and processes that stimulate significant improvements in productivity and efficiency.

Funding Amount

Efficiency Stream: 50% of eligible costs to a maximum program payment of $300,000 (T1), $500,000 (T2) or $750,000 (T3) depending on funding tier
Emissions Reduction Stream: 60% of eligible expenditures up to maximum program payment amount depending on funding tier
Expansion Stream: 50% of eligible expenditures up to maximum program payment amount depending on funding tier

Eligible Applicants

Agri-businesses involved in value-added processing of Saskatchewan agricultural products
A commercial enterprise located in Saskatchewan
Incorporated federally or in Saskatchewan and have filed income tax in Saskatchewan within the past year
Incorporated federally or in Saskatchewan and have filed income tax in Saskatchewan within the past year
Demonstrating a minimum of $100,000 gross annual revenue relating to value-added processing
Using an identifiable portion of inputs originating from primary agricultural commodities grown or raised in Canada

Funding Process

Pre-approval is required for all projects. All applicants must complete a Business Analysis to ensure eligibility. Approval to undertake a business analysis will be provided to eligible applicants after submission and ministry review of the pre-approval application.
As a condition to access program funding, applicants are required to review the Agri- Environmental Risk Assessment before beginning their project.

Funding is structed using the tiered model below:

Tier 1
- Project size of $50,000 to $1,000,000
- Maximum funding up to $300,000
Tier 2
- Project size greater than $1,000,000 to $5,000,000
- Maximum funding up to $500,000
Tier 3
- Project size greater than $5,000,000
- Maximum funding up to $750,000

Eligible projects

The purchase of equipment, shipping and installation costs related to the addition of new product processing lines complimentary to processing already being undertaken
A business analysis completed by third-party contractor can receive 50 per cent of the eligible costs to a maximum of $20,000
Purchase of new or refurbished equipment and machinery replacing existing equipment and achieves processing efficiencies
Upgrades to reduce wasted product or by-product results & upgrades to improve energy resource efficiency

Ineligible expenses

New buildings, additions or building modifications
Non-third-party transactions
Taxes, brokerage, legal or interest/financing costs
Purchase of capital items such as land or buildings
Production disturbances
Equipment and supplies requiring replacement on an ongoing basis
Items considered being regular repair or maintenance
Expenditures made prior to April 1, 2023
Office equipment including computers and related hardware/software
Farm equipment
Business or marketing plan development

Thinking of applying for financing? Don’t wait! These funds are highly competitive. Contact us today to get started!

Why Ayming?

Our team of experts will take the time to understand your current and future planned projects. We will then align these initiatives to the program in order to provide you with the highest ROI and the highest chance of approval.

We have extensive experience working with Canadian SMEs and have the expertise to properly position and maximize your application to secure your business funding.
We are the first Canadian company to establish a national grants practice.
Our proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) driven database of grants provides live access to thousands of programs, including a custom snapshot of all federal and provincial grants currently available to each company specifically.
Our highly experienced delivery teams boast over 50 + years of combined grants experience and over 200+ years of combined SR&ED experience, meaning you partner with true subject matter experts who are invested in your success.
No risk success-fee remuneration.