Irving Shipbuilding, through National Shipbuilding Strategy, increases regional economic benefits and delivers over $3.8 billion to Ontario’s industry.
TORONTO, ON, November 12 – Ontario-based Patlon Aircraft & Industries Limited is the latest Canadian company to join Irving Shipbuilding Inc.’s supply chain, supporting the construction of the future Canadian Surface Combatants, now known as the River-class destroyers (RCD), which will become the backbone of Canada’s naval combat capability.
Irving Shipbuilding Inc. has awarded Patlon contracts valued over $30 million to supply and quality check the hose systems and bellows on the new ships. Building on the longstanding relationship between Patlon and Irving, this work will further support the growth and skill development of this Ontario workforce.
The products and services being provided by Patlon are essential to keeping the RCD fleet in proper working order and at a high level of readiness for action to support the Canadian Navy on missions abroad and at home.
Based in Halton Hills, Patlon is a small business which has been an active member of Irving Shipbuilding’s supply chain for over 30 years, supporting with the retrofitting of vessels for the Canadian Navy.
“Patlon and Irving have enjoyed a longstanding collaboration since the early 1990s,” says Jennifer Gebel, Director of Operations, Patlon. “Delivering the hoses and bellows contract for the River-class destroyer project further strengthens and reaffirms our over 30 years of successful collaboration with Irving Shipbuilding,” says Gebel. “We look forward to continuing this excellent relationship with Irving and contributing to the safety and readiness of the River-class destroyer fleet for the Royal Canadian Navy.”
As part of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS), Irving Shipbuilding is building 15 River-class destroyers. Construction on the production test module of the River-class began in June 2024, with full-rate production scheduled to start in April 2025. Slated to replace the existing Halifax-class frigates, the RCD program is the largest and most complex shipbuilding project in Canadian history.
Importantly, Patlon is a great example of the huge economic spinoff that is generated by the NSS. This latest contract contributes to the over $3.8 billion in contracts and investments Irving Shipbuilding, through the NSS, is delivering to Ontario alone. The latest Conference Board of Canada Report expects that between 2013 and 2026, the AOPS and RCD programs will contribute over $14.2 billion to Canada’s GDP with $9.5 billion in labour income coming to Canadians.
“As a small Canadian business, opportunities such as this one presented by Irving invigorate our workforce and bring great excitement to the Patlon team,” says Gebel. “We are enthusiastic about this chance and will focus on enhancing our team's skills and adding new talent to support the project effectively.”
“Our commitment to understanding and addressing customer needs has led to exceptional experiences, making us a preferred partner for numerous prominent manufacturers across various sectors for several decades,” says John Mogk, Executive Vice President, Patlon.
“Irving’s longstanding work with Patlon demonstrates the important role small businesses can play in Canada’s revitalized shipbuilding industry,” says Lee Fromson, Vice President, Supply Chain and Quality, Irving Shipbuilding. “Shipbuilding is no longer just an Atlantic Canadian industry; the NSS is delivering economic benefits and fostering Canadian innovation right across the country.”