For 36 years and counting, Pro Metal Industries has been Saskatchewan—and Western Canada’s—premier precision and custom manufacturing, assembly, and fabrication specialist. “Pro Metal got its start in 1986, becoming Regina’s first full-service metal fabricator,” says Mark Brown, the company’s president. “Over the years, we have built a reputation for quality work that we’re really proud of.”
A new dawn
Photo by Mark Greschner.
In 2015, the company would forge a new path with Pasqua First Nation. PFN Group (the economic development arm of Pasqua First Nation) was looking to diversify its portfolio of investments and saw an opportunity in the defense sector. They looked for a company that could help PFN Group move into the defense space, and Pro Metal fit the bill. “Our capabilities, longevity, and business interests were a good fit, and Pro Metal became part of the PFN Group.”
As well, PFN Group saw the opportunity that Pro Metal could offer for employment. Pro Metal’s workforce is proudly 30 per cent Indigenous with a goal to hit 50 per cent. “We walk the talk when it comes to helping Indigenous people build rewarding careers,” he says.
Growing in new directions
Since the acquisition by PFN Group, Pro Metal has expanded its services and capabilities. In February 2020, Pro Metal became Canadian Controlled Goods Registered—meaning they now produce top-secret military parts for the military and defense sector. “As far as we know, we’re the only 100 per cent Indigenous owned controlled goods manufacturer in Canada,” says Brown. The company is home to both secure facilities and employees that produce parts for General Dynamics Land Systems—a military contractor building LAV vehicles. “We’re part of the contract to provide 360 vehicles to the Canadian military, with up to 39 more being given to Ukraine by the Canadian Government to support Ukraine’s effort to defend themselves from the illegal Russian invasion,” says Brown.
The company has also added more CNC machining equipment and a laser cutting machine to improve both speed and value to their offerings. Soon, it will add another 8,000 square feet to the 30,000 square feet it already has, to expand to powder coating. “The move into powder coating is a testament to the growth we have seen in the past few years,” says Brown. “Powder coating was the missing piece in our services, and we are adding it now.”
Looking to the future
Pro Metal isn’t done growing yet. The company has purchased eight acres on Pasqua Street and will move into a brand-new 45,000 square foot facility in 2024. “The move will expand our capacity even more and solidify us as a full-service machining and fabricating service for Western Canada,” says Brown. “We’re big enough to serve Western Canada, but still small enough to handle the local business where we got our start. There’s nothing too small for us. We’re proud to serve Regina business like we have since 1986.”
Learn more at prometal.ca.
Pro Metal Industries
261 Sherwood Road
Regina
306.525.6710
Prometal.ca
In 2021, Pro Metal and the PFN Group of Companies launched the Feather Project to support truth and reconciliation efforts. A total of $125,000 was raised from the 2021 Feather Project and all proceeds were donated to Saskatchewan post-secondary institutions and designated to support Indigenous students. The 2022 Feather Project launched July 19, with 2,000 feathers produced for this year’s campaign. Net proceeds from the sale of the feathers will be donated to First Nations University of Canada, Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology (SIIT), the University of Regina, University of Saskatchewan, and Saskatchewan Polytechnic. The funds will be designated for Indigenous students and distributed through bursaries. Learn more at prometal.ca/feathers.
