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Russel Metals is the latest Canadian company to join Irving Shipbuilding’s supply chain to support the construction of the new River-class destroyers (RCD) for the Royal Canadian Navy, strengthening a long-standing Canadian partnership that supports skilled jobs in Nova Scotia.

Valued at approximately $6.05 million, the contract will be delivered by Russel Metals’ established local workforce and carried out at its new Dartmouth facility and Halifax operations.

The contract covers the supply of steel plates, profiles, and aluminum sheets used in manufactured parts, along with procurement, logistics coordination, material traceability, and just-in-time inventory management aligned with Irving Shipbuilding’s production schedule. Materials will be delivered directly to Irving Shipbuilding and to fabricators across Canada, supporting a national supply chain.

Importantly, this work builds on a long-standing partnership between Russel Metals and Irving Shipbuilding, which began over 30-years ago with the construction of the Halifax-class frigates in Saint John, New Brunswick and has continued to grow over the years.

“Our relationship with Irving Shipbuilding began in 1987, and it’s built on trust, collaboration, and a shared commitment to Canadian industry,” said John Reid, President and CEO of Russel Metals. “We’re proud that this work supports skilled jobs in Nova Scotia and allows our teams to play a meaningful role in building ships for Canada’s Navy.”

The work itself will support a range of jobs, including material handlers, warehouse employees, logistics professionals and procurement specialists. Drawing on decades of experience working with Irving Shipbuilding, Russel Metals will rely on its established workforce to meet and exceed the high standards required for naval shipbuilding.

Beyond supporting local jobs, the RCD project strengthens Russel Metals’ Atlantic Canada operations and reinforces its role as a critical link in Canada’s steel supply chain by connecting Canadian mills with end users in essential industries. At a time when Canadian steel producers face ongoing pressure from global tariffs, projects like this play an important role in strengthening national industrial resilience and supporting domestic supply chains.

As one of the largest metals distribution and processing companies in North America, Russel Metals is a proudly Canadian company with a strong commitment to giving back to the communities where it operates. They are proud to partner with institutions like the Nova Scotia Community College and operate a scholarship program that has contributed more than $2 million toward post-secondary education for employees’ children.

“With its strong Nova Scotian roots and deep ties to the Halifax community, Russel Metals is exactly the kind of partner we are proud to welcome into the River-class destroyer project,” said Lee Fromson, Vice President, Supply Chain and Quality, Irving Shipbuilding. “While our supply chain spans the country, it is the strength and longevity of local partnerships like this that highlight the skilled, resilient workforce here in Nova Scotia; People who bring generations of shipbuilding knowledge and expertise to Canada’s naval programs.”

Through their continued partnership, Irving Shipbuilding and Russel Metals are helping sustain local jobs, strengthen Canadian manufacturing, and build a more resilient future for Canada’s shipbuilding and steel industries.