A new partnership between a veteran Ontario shipbuilder and an Indigenous-owned advanced manufacturer is aiming to strengthen Canada’s marine and defence sectors.
ATMIS Protective Equipment Inc., an Indigenous-owned company specializing in custom machined metal parts and automated production systems, has signed an agreement with Hike Metal Products Ltd., a long-standing Canadian shipbuilder based in Wheatley, Ont.
The two companies will collaborate on new vessel builds, with a focus on small- and medium-sized boats intended for defence and government use.
“This marks the first time an Indigenous manufacturer has ventured into the new vessel build market in support of the government and larger defence primes,” said ATMIS president Andy Valentine, in a media release.
“We’re proud to think our high-quality work will one day be in the ships keeping our country safe.”
Steve Ingram, president of Hike Metal, said the agreement brings together complementary strengths in marine construction and precision manufacturing.
“By leveraging our core strengths, we believe we can strengthen both companies’ presence in the Canadian marine vessel market,” Ingram said, in a media release.
“Combining our skill sets in advanced marine metal product manufacturing is a win — not only for our companies, but for our customers.”
Both companies describe the partnership as a first-of-its-kind in Canada.
Hike Metal has been designing and building vessels since 1958 and is recognized for producing hovercraft, Coast Guard search-and-rescue vessels, fire boats, patrol boats, ferries, barges and research ships.
ATMIS, with facilities in Windsor and Chatham, Ont., is ISO 9001 and Controlled Goods certified. It is listed in the federal government’s Indigenous Business Directory and is a member of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB).
