Wedoany.com Report on Feb 6th, Lakehead Steel in Canada has reached the significant milestone of its fiftieth anniversary. The company, which started in 1976 as a small steel fabrication shop, has grown to become an important industrial manufacturing partner in Northwestern Ontario, supporting local mining, forestry, construction, and municipal infrastructure sectors.
The company currently operates a 36,000-square-foot production facility in Rosslyn, outside Thunder Bay. Its team handles a wide range of industrial manufacturing tasks, from structural steel projects to the repair of heavy equipment components. Core services include on-site and shop welding, alignment boring, and the installation of material handling systems. The plant also serves as a regional supplier for various specialized industrial products, such as wear-resistant components, prefabricated steel structures, insulated building materials, and conveyor control solutions.
The company's development history reflects its continuous dedication to the industrial manufacturing field. Between 2007 and 2010, Lakehead Steel undertook several structural engineering projects in the Caribbean region, including the U.S. Embassy in Barbados and apartment developments in the Cayman Islands. The hurricane-resistant roof structure for the Beachcomber Apartments, manufactured in Thunder Bay and shipped in 27 containers, demonstrated the company's execution capabilities on complex industrial manufacturing projects.
As the demand for equipment maintenance in Northwestern Ontario's mining sector has grown, Lakehead Steel has gradually become a key industrial manufacturing service provider in the region. Mines rely on the company not only for repair work such as bucket rebuilds and liner replacements but also for extending equipment life and reducing downtime through the adoption of advanced wear-resistant materials and technological upgrades.
The company continuously invests in equipment renewal and team development, introducing advanced manufacturing equipment such as CNC machines and assembling a fleet for on-site operations, including aerial work platforms and welding vehicles. This model, which combines shop production with on-site installation, provides customers with comprehensive industrial manufacturing solutions. Furthermore, the company has nurtured many long-serving employees, with a significant number growing into technical experts or management personnel, contributing to the development of regional industrial skills.
Current President Peter McNabb stated, "We have always focused on delivering high-quality work. By consistently maintaining this standard, the trust built with our customers and the community has become our most valuable asset." This philosophy is reflected in various collaborations with northern towns, Indigenous communities, industrial operators, and builders.
Lakehead Steel plans to further expand its capabilities and strengthen supply chain collaboration to support the development of emerging industries in Northern Ontario. From a startup shop to a diversified industrial manufacturing enterprise, the fifty-year journey bears witness to the company's steady role as a regional force in industrial manufacturing.
