ABB has announced its first Indigenous channel partner collaboration in Canada through a partnership with LaFlesche, an advanced manufacturing, machining and rapid prototyping firm based in the Kahnawà:ke community in Quebec. The collaboration marks a significant step towards expanding Indigenous participation in Canada’s industrial and infrastructure sectors while strengthening ABB’s local distribution and service network for automation, electrification and digital solutions.
Under the agreement, LaFlesche will serve as an authorized ABB channel partner, enabling the company to deliver select ABB products, technologies and services to public and private sector customers across Canada. The partnership is expected to enhance access to industrial automation solutions while supporting critical sectors with locally available expertise and supply capabilities. The companies stated that the collaboration will also help customers reduce dependence on offshore supply chains while ensuring reliable lifecycle support for mission-critical industrial systems and infrastructure.
Commenting on the partnership, Thawennontie Thomas said the company has built strong relationships with major industrial clients through its focus on precision, reliability and operational performance. He noted that the partnership with ABB would provide customers with access to globally proven automation and electrification technologies backed by local technical expertise familiar with the operational realities of critical industries. He added that the collaboration represents an important step towards strengthening Indigenous participation in Canada’s infrastructure and industrial sectors.
Ben C Venter said the collaboration aligns with ABB’s broader strategy of strengthening resilient supply chains, expanding local partnerships and supporting inclusive economic growth. According to him, partnering with an Indigenous-owned business with strong technical capabilities enhances ABB’s ability to serve customers more effectively while supporting skills development, local capacity building and long-term participation in critical infrastructure projects.
The partnership also supports Canada’s broader economic reconciliation initiatives aimed at increasing Indigenous participation across key sectors through procurement opportunities, industrial partnerships and business development programmes. ABB stated that the collaboration reflects its commitment to delivering “local-for-local” solutions that combine global technology expertise with regional operational support.
Globally, ABB operates across electrification, automation and industrial digitalisation sectors with more than 140 years of industrial technology experience and approximately 110,000 employees worldwide. The company’s automation business supports industries including energy, water, manufacturing, marine and process industries through advanced industrial technologies and engineering solutions.
