A Nova Scotia company is hoping to be tapped for a big role in the latest federal icebreakers contract. Hawboldt Industries is based in Chester, N.S., but is no stranger to the national spotlight. “Hawboldt is a designer and builder of marine lifting equipment, specialty winches and cranes for the marine industry, including research, defence, commercial, workboats, offshore energy,” says general manager Dylan Wells. Employing more than 90 people, the business has been around for well over a century, with work on Halifax-class frigates and many more. They were also handed the contract earlier this year to produce “science mission equipment” for the Polar Max icebreaker, marking their latest federal deal. But this week, an announcement came hinting at a chance for more. Prime Minister Mark Carney was in Lévis, QC, on Monday when he announced $11 billion to build six new icebreakers for the Canadian Coast Guard. “The work of this immense contract doesn’t stop at that shipyard gate,” Carney said. “More than 1,500 suppliers from across Canada will support the work here at Davie.” Carney mentioned “designers and manufacturers at Hawboldt Industries … supplying the advanced marine equipment that these vessels carry.” Wells says it was a “special moment” to get the recognition, and while nothing is final, he’s hopeful. “We’ve got a really strong relationship with Davie Shipyard, supplying equipment for Polar Max, and we’re working hard to be included on the next six ships.” While they await that news, which he expects to come later this year, the company is thankful to have work in two ever-evolving sectors – defence and offshore energy – that are in the spotlight here at home and beyond. “It feels awesome,” says Daniel Jones, an industrial electrician. “We’re in an industry where things are always moving forward. “We’re coming from a very small town, so when we get out on site and we see our equipment on these ships, it feels really good to see that and know that you had a part in it.” But like many businesses, they’re caught in the crosshairs of the trade war. “The tariff situation is changing,” Wells says. “It’s in flux quite a bit.” He’s pleased the company’s exports haven’t been affected yet. Still, navigating it isn’t easy. “It can be stressful, the uncertainty, it’s out of our control completely,” he says. “It’s kind of difficult to plan for, but we’ve worked hard to build a resilient business. We have a strong local supply chain.” He’s hoping to land the latest icebreakers contract to help solidify the future at an uncertain time. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
