Kinectrics’
origins can be traced to 1912 as the technical and research division of Ontario
Hydro, a major Canadian electrical utility founded on hydroelectric power,
which eventually grew at one point into the largest electrical utility in North
America—covering generation from nuclear, fossil, hydroelectric, and renewable
sources, as well as transmission and distribution.
From its
one-workshop beginnings as Ontario Hydro Research Division (OHRD), Kinectrics
has focused on the development and application of advanced technologies for the
power industry.
In the 1990s,
provincial policy resulted in the demerger and re-organization of Ontario Hydro
into a number of companies. OHRD was also re-organized, first as Ontario Hydro
Technologies (OHT), and eventually Ontario Power Technologies (OPT), under the
demerged generation company, Ontario Power Generation (OPG).
Independence
In recent years
Kinectrics has doubled its revenue and grown its staff to pre-demerger levels. Part
of the Kinectrics growth strategy includes commercialization of its valuable
intellectual property.
In 2009,
Kinectrics acquired Candesco Corporation of Toronto, Ontario. This initiative
greatly expanded Kinectrics’ expertise in nuclear regulatory and licensing
consulting, safety assessment, radiation and environmental protection, and
operational safety support.
In 2010,
Kinectrics opened a new branch office in Pickering, Ontario to enhance and
expedite qualified technical support for Ontario's existing and future nuclear
generation infrastructure in the Pickering and Darlington areas.
In 2017,
Kinectrics acquired Wood's Nuclear America and Romania business. The purchase
doubled the size of Kinectrics and strengthened its offerings to customers in
Canada and internationally. Bringing together complementary teams and
capabilities enhanced Kinectrics' nuclear portfolio in key areas of engineering
design, risk assessment, safety and licensing and on-site life cycle
management. The acquisition has allowed Kinectrics to take on larger, more
complex projects with a wider scope, closing the loop from initial concept
through to deployment, in order to meet the evolving needs of nuclear utilities
in North American and CANDU reactors worldwide.
Future
Kinectrics is a
new, entrepreneurial company—but one with a record of over 100 years of
technical excellence and innovation, a tradition that continues to this day.
The company continues to grow, with staff who thrive on challenges that others
find daunting, and succeeds where investment in the future—in facilities,
capability, and people—provides a touchstone for its vision.
From initial
design and type testing to operational deployment and maintenance services,
Kinectrics collaborates closely with customers to ensure that utility assists
perform safely, reliably, and efficiently throughout their entire life cycle.