Eascan Automation CEO shares inspiring journey at WTC Talks

Right from her youngest years, Camila Bellon knew she wanted to work in manufacturing — but she never planned on becoming the CEO of an automation company serving worldwide markets.

However, that’s exactly where her career path has led. Today, Bellon is the chief executive officer of Eascan Automation Inc., a Winnipeg-based industrial automation and robotics company that has been serving manufacturers for the past 34 years.

Through this role, she has navigated tariffs and changing global markets. At the same time, she understands the importance of building local businesses and sharing homegrown technology on an international scale.

On Sept. 23 at Kilter Brewing, Bellon spoke about her meandering journey at a WTC Talks event. Hosted by World Trade Centre Winnipeg, WTC Talks is a monthly gathering that celebrates Manitoba entrepreneurs and creates connections within the business community by sharing stories of trade and growth.

Growing up in Brazil, Bellon learned the value of hard work from her parents. Her mom launched a home-based baking business while her dad worked on the road as a truck driver. Whenever she had a break from school, Bellon would join her dad while he delivered raw materials to factories across the South American country.

“I would just jump on the rig and go with him on two-week adventures through Brazil so I could see inside the factories. I’ve been kicked out of many different manufacturing plants through my life,” she said. “But I always knew the factory floor was a place I wanted to work.”

This interest started her on a trajectory toward engineering education followed by roles in global banking and technology startups.

“I never planned on being a CEO of a business. It’s kind of where life steered me. I knew I wanted to work in manufacturing since I was a kid because I grew up in a family without much resources,” she said.

“I didn’t think I would be studying in a good university or if I would be somebody important at the end of the day.”

Her career took an abrupt turn about a decade ago when Bellon found herself in Winnipeg after her husband accepted a tech-related job for Skip The Dishes.

“I didn’t speak any English. I was actually running a startup back there. I had a good job with good responsibilities,” she recalled. “When we moved, I was like ‘If I don’t get a job in six months, I’m coming back.”

She needn’t have worried since she soon landed a job with Torque Brewing to hand out samples at golf tournaments — and she eventually ascended to become the general manager of the company, where she continued to work for seven years.

Over time, she moved on from Torque Brewing to work as a continuous improvement manager for Eascan Automation.

“It was very busy. They were growing substantially,” she said. “I joined to make improvements internally in the company so we could reflect those improvements on the client base and the projects we were delivering.”

When the tariffs hit, Bellon didn’t know what the future would hold — for her or for the company.

“We had to make a decision of laying off some of our talent. It was really tough on the people who stayed there,” she said.

“I thought I would lose my job at that time. Instead, I was promoted to CEO.”

Right away, she started networking, attending trade missions and creating connections any way she could.

“It takes time and it takes effort. But this is where we saw the horizon shining again,” she said.

“We are recovering nicely after that. We are so busy.”

The tariff situation has been a wakeup call for manufacturers, she added.

“They need to put their roots more in Canada. … If they hire us instead of just bringing a machine from the U.S., they’re actually keeping the dollars here,” she said.

“It’s good for the economy. It generates employment.”

Initially a garage-based business, Eascan Automation grew from its humble roots to the company it is today, now with Bellon at its helm. She describes it as a one-stop shop for everything related to automation, robotics and machines.

“It’s incredible because it evolves so fast. It’s really hard to keep up with everything that’s new,” she said. “We’re very proud of being the first ones to introduce that type of technology to Manitoba, and we’re working hard to keep up with bringing the best and latest technology.”

And thanks to Eascan Automation, made-in-Manitoba innovations are finding their way to markets around the globe.

“We invent all the stuff. We retain the IP,” Bellon said. “We can have Winnipeg-made technology anywhere in the world, solving real day-to-day issues in different industries.”

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