Indigenous-owned manufacturer breaks new ground in Ontario shipbuilding partnership

Two local companies are collaborating to build defense vessels in Canada. CTV Windsor’s Sanjay Maru has the details.

An Indigenous-owned manufacturer based in Windsor and Chatham is entering Canada’s marine vessel market through a first-of-its-kind partnership with Wheatley-based Hike Metal — a deal both companies say could reshape the country’s defence supply chain.

ATMIS, which specializes in high-precision metal fabrication and robotic automation, has joined forces with longtime shipbuilder Hike Metal to collaborate on building small- and medium-sized marine vessels.

The boats are expected to serve agencies such as the Canadian Coast Guard and other government or provincial enforcement bodies.

“We’re looking to get into the marine area with our expertise in welding and pretty much all metal work,” said ATMIS President Andy Valentine. “We’re pretty excited to move that forward and to get into the defence space.”

Valentine called the partnership “very significant,” adding that ATMIS hopes its involvement will inspire other Indigenous businesses to pursue roles in Canada’s advanced manufacturing sectors.

“One of ATMIS’ goals is to aid in the whole truth and reconciliation for Indigenous peoples,” he said.

“We’d like to set up manufacturing facilities — we’ve already got partners ready to go in the Thunder Bay area and across the country — to spread our knowledge and give the opportunities that we’re developing to others.”

The two companies plan to combine ATMIS’ defence-grade components and engineering capabilities with Hike Metal’s long-standing shipbuilding expertise.

Founded in 1958, Hike Metal is one of Canada’s premier aluminum vessel builders, with a client list that includes the Coast Guard, police departments, and the Maid of the Mist tour boats in Niagara Falls.

Hike Metal President Steve Ingram said both companies had been searching for new partnerships long before trade tensions started growing between Canada and the United States.

“We didn’t even realize that we actually had that partnership right here — they’re in Chatham and Windsor and we’re in Wheatley, right in the middle,” said Ingram. “To me, we couldn’t have got luckier with the whole situation.”

Ingram said the partnership opens the door to untapped markets, including work with the Department of National Defence.

“We’re considered like a pillar-two supplier — there are very few shipbuilders in Ontario,” he said. “This is going to wake people up ... and that can only bring in new jobs, which is what we’re all looking for,” said Ingram.

Andrew Glover, operations manager at ATMIS, said the company already provides advanced components for sectors ranging from space exploration to nuclear reactors, and believes the new partnership will help establish Indigenous businesses as key contributors to Canada’s defence capabilities.

“We pride ourselves on being an Indigenous-owned business that is one of the most state-of-the-art manufacturers in Canada,” said Glover. “When working with other prime contractors, it’s very important for our company to be utilized in a way that’s meaningful — that we contribute valuable product, create jobs, and help our local communities.”

Though both companies are manufacturers, Glover said their strengths are complementary — with ATMIS focusing on high-tolerance fabrication and Hike Metal bringing vessel assembly expertise.

Ingram agreed, saying ATMIS brings “a very proactive ability” and an R&D mindset that could expand both companies into new areas.

“We’re experts in aluminum welding and building vessels,” said Ingram. “Can we expand from building boats to something else? We only have the future to look forward to, to find out.”

The partnership will be showcased at CANSEC, Canada’s largest global defence and security trade show, later this month.