August 1, 2024
“The National Shipbuilding Strategy has forced us to dream bigger and look at new ways of doing things. We’re now a team that thinks differently about the future and what we’re capable of producing.”
Matt Kirby, the Vice President of Marine at AdvanTec Marine, says the ingenuity and perseverance of his team has built the company into what it is today. From self-described “humble beginnings” to becoming one of the largest marine manufacturers specializing in the design, engineering and manufacturing of specialty application marine closures.
And, while this Chilliwack, BC company has been serving North American and international navies, governments, commercial vessels and super yacht builders for more than 40 years, it was working with Seaspan through the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) that allowed them to chart a new course for their business.
AdvanTec Marine has been tasked with manufacturing highly technical, heavy weight water mitigation doors for the NSS vessels, a specialized skillset they honed over the past decade. They are the only company in Canada manufacturing these unique products, and quite possibly the only company in North America that can say they built a 3-tonne hydraulic cargo door that closes on an angle in less than 45 seconds.
“In the past, these types of doors would be purchased from companies in Europe. We developed the manufacturing capabilities of our team, so we could build locally and provide Seaspan with efficient service – we can be very effective when we’re right next door. We chose to invest in our people at the start of the NSS and it’s paid off. We can now compete on the world stage in terms of skill and competitiveness and the NSS has allowed that to happen,” says Kirby.
So far, AdvanTec has built about 40 water mitigation doors on the NSS vessels – from cargo doors, and interior doors, to fish hatches/shell doors on the science vessels. The work has not only allowed them to expand their expertise, and it has also allowed them to grow in size and staff.
“As a result of the NSS we’ve been able to invest in new infrastructure and equipment. We’ve doubled our engineering team, and this year we expanded the footprint of our Chilliwack facility. Our staff and supply-chain benefit as a result of the long-term work – it’s gives everyone a really important sense of security for the future,” says Rick Nohr, the Director of Operations for AdvanTec Marine.
They now have about 15 people solely dedicated to Seaspan work and they’re not stopping there.
The company has just received the necessary certifications to build Weather-tight & Water-tight Fire Rated Doors & Hatches certified for use in Canada and the United States. They’ve begun building the first test sample and if all goes according to plan, they will be one of the only companies in North America to manufacture fire rated doors of this scale.
“The end goal is just to keep jobs here in Canada. I want Canadians to know that our shipbuilding industry is now able to compete globally. At the start of the NSS, I didn’t know if that was going to be possible, but I’ve seen proof of it now,” says Kirby.
“Because of our work with the NSS, doors are opening in other areas that absolutely never would have opened,” says Jason Setzer, the Senior Business Development Manager at AdvanTec Marine.
“I’m most proud of the fact that we’re helping to build vessels that are saving lives at sea. When you see these ships in service, taking care of other boaters and people in trouble and protecting Canada- that’s a huge part of why we’re so passionate about what we do.”