Three manufacturers collaborate on Canadian Integrated Shaftline System
by CM Staff
The consortium is focused on supplying in-progress and future vessels included as part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy
Burlington, Ont. — Thordon Bearings Inc., Dominis Engineering Ltd. and Patriot Forge Co., three family-owned and operated high-performance manufacturing businesses in Ontario, announced on July 13 they have joined forces as a consortium to provide fully integrated and complete vessel shaftline systems.
The consortium will be led by Thordon Bearings, a propeller shaft bearings and seals company. The consortium is focused on supplying in-progress and future vessels included as part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy with its finished product, “the Canadian Integrated Shaftline System” (CISS).
“We are beyond proud to have brought together a consortium that is dedicated to offering a made-in-Canada propeller shaftline solution for Canada’s most important vessels included in the National Shipbuilding Strategy,” said Terry McGowan, president and CEO, Thordon Bearings Inc., in a prepared statement.
The CISS includes components needed for both large and small navy and coast guard vessels’ main shaftlines, using a made-in-Canada solution including the propeller itself (Dominis Engineering Ltd.), the propeller shaft and couplings (Patriot Forge Co.), and the shaft bearings, coatings and bulkhead seals that provide efficient and environmentally sustainable operations of the shaftline (Thordon Bearings Inc.).
At a time when domestic jobs and the resiliency of global supply chain solutions are being tested, the consortium provides an opportunity to generate and showcase a “sovereign” industrial capability that, when leveraged as part of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy, will sustain hundreds of high-skilled Canadian manufacturing jobs while also creating full-time positions in Canada, according to the companies.
“This partnership affords the critical opportunity to be considered as a meaningful, world-class option for shipyards and their suppliers, and the ability to support the economic and social benefits the National Shipbuilding Strategy was intended to deliver,” said Robert Dimitrieff, president, Patriot Forge Co., in a statement.
