Grimard

What Grimard does

Grimard is a Quebec-based, family-owned electrical infrastructure provider founded in 1949 (some sources cite 1944), headquartered in Laval with regional offices in Saguenay and Chicoutimi. The company operates three integrated divisions — custom electrical switchgear manufacturing, large-scale electrical construction, and telecommunications systems integration — supported by approximately 450 employees and a 1,500 m² in-house assembly plant. It produces custom low-voltage and medium-voltage switchgear, metal-enclosed bus ducts, prefabricated e-houses, control and protection panels, and a proprietary arc absorber plenum system for power generation applications.

The company's core customers are major Canadian utilities (Hydro-Québec, Hydro One), heavy industrial operators (Rio Tinto, ArcelorMittal, Quebec Iron Ore, Ciment McInnis, Kruger), and government and transportation authorities (Ville de Montréal, STM, MTQ, Transports Québec, Port de Montréal). Grimard wins work primarily through competitive public tenders and direct contracts with anchor clients, with disclosed individual project values ranging from CAD $2M to CAD $15M and a portfolio of more than 400 projects annually. Five operational sub-brands — Électricité Grimard, Télécommunications Grimard, Constructions Grimard, Automatisation Grimard, and Électricité Saguenay — enable turnkey delivery combining electrical installation, civil works, switchgear manufacturing, and telecom integration under a single contract.

Recurring revenue is anchored by long-term maintenance agreements (Rio Tinto for nearly 40 years) and multi-year framework contracts (Hydro One ATS, Hydro-Québec 11kV switchgear through 2025), supplemented by project-based one-time revenue from public and private tenders. The company is ISO 9001:2015 certified, holds strategic alliances with technology vendors including Siemens, Cisco, Bosch, Commscope, and ABB, and implemented PROCORE project-management software in 2021 to support operational scaling across divisions.

Name

Grimard

Legal name

Grimard

Website

https://grimard.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1949

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Grimard is a Quebec-based family-owned electrical infrastructure provider founded in 1949, specializing in custom switchgear manufacturing, large-scale electrical contracting, and telecommunications systems integration for utilities, heavy industry, and government transportation clients across Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electrical Contracting and Switchgear Manufacturing

NAICS

Switchgear and Switchboard Apparatus Manufacturing (335313), Power, Distribution, and Specialty Transformer Manufacturing (335311)

SIC

Switchgear & Switchboard Apparatus (3613), Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620), Power, Distribution & Specialty Transformers (3612)

akta.pro primary industry

Switchgear & Switchboards (HV/MV/LV, GIS/AIS) (IMAGAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Circuit Breakers, Disconnectors, Earthing Switches & Switchgear Components (EUADACAH), High-Voltage Electrical Systems (Switchgear, Transformers, Protection & Control) (EUAEAFAA), Testing, Commissioning, Maintenance & Retrofit/Modernization (Substations/Switchgear) (EUADACAL)

Keywords

• Electrical switchgear manufacturing
• Industrial electrical contracting
• Intelligent transportation systems
• Structured cabling services
• Prefabricated e-houses

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicoutimi

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Electrical Contracting Services: Large-scale electrical installation projects for transportation infrastructure, energy production facilities, and heavy industry. Projects include construction, civil engineering, electrical installations, and technology integration. Revenue is project-based and one-time, driven by public tenders and private contracts.
2. Custom Electrical Switchgear Manufacturing: Design, fabrication, and supply of custom low-voltage and medium-voltage switchgear, control and protection panels, metal-enclosed bus ducts, and prefabricated e-houses. Manufacturing takes place at the 1,500 m2 assembly plant. Revenue is one-time per project with long manufacturing timelines (e.g., until 2025 for some Hydro-Québec contracts).
3. Telecommunications Systems Integration: Installation and integration of intelligent transportation systems (ITS), structured cabling, fiber optics, wireless networks (DAS/radio), and physical security systems. Project-based, one-time revenue from government and private sector clients.
4. Maintenance Services: Ongoing maintenance contracts at industrial facilities such as Rio Tinto's aluminum smelters and power generation sites, providing recurring revenue streams.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Grimard is a multi-specialty electrical and telecommunications contractor and custom switchgear manufacturer operating across three integrated divisions: Electrical Switchgear Manufacturing, Electrical Contracting, and Telecommunications. The company designs, fabricates, and installs custom low-voltage and medium-voltage switchgear, metal-enclosed bus ducts, prefabricated e-houses, control and protection panels, and proprietary arc absorber systems for power utilities, heavy industry, transportation infrastructure, and commercial clients. Services include intelligent transportation systems (ITS), structured cabling, fiber optics, physical security, and wireless networks (DAS/radio), with construction and civil works delivered as turnkey multidisciplinary projects.

Product overview

Grimard is a manufacturer and service provider operating across three complementary divisions: Electrical Switchgear Manufacturing, Electricity Services, and Telecommunications. The Electrical Switchgear division produces custom-manufactured low-voltage and medium-voltage switchgear, metal-enclosed bus duct systems, prefabricated E-Houses, control and protection panels, and the company's proprietary arc absorber plenum. The Electricity Services division provides large-scale electrical construction for transportation infrastructure, energy production (hydroelectric plants), and heavy industry. The Telecommunications division offers intelligent transportation systems (ITS), structured cabling and fiber optics, physical security systems, and wireless networks (DAS/radio). The company operates from modern production facilities with a 1,500 m2 assembly plant and employs approximately 450 people, completing over 400 projects annually across Quebec, Canada, and international markets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Électricité Grimard: Electrical construction and installation services
• Télécommunications Grimard
• Constructions Grimard
• Automatisation Grimard
• Électricité Saguenay

Products and services

• Low-voltage Switchgear Custom-manufactured low-voltage switchgear for power distribution and control in industrial and infrastructure applications.
• Medium-voltage Switchgear Custom medium-voltage switchgear including arc-resistant designs for power generation, substations, and industrial facilities.
• Metal-Enclosed Bus Duct Systems Bus duct systems for power transmission and distribution within electrical installations.
• E-Houses (Prefabricated Electrical Buildings) Prefabricated buildings housing electrical equipment including switchgear, control systems, and power distribution for substations and industrial sites.
• Control and Protection Panels Custom control and protection systems for electrical equipment including motor control centers and automatic transfer switches.
• Arc Absorber Plenum Exclusive arc absorption system for internal fault protection in medium-voltage switchgear installations, developed and manufactured in-house by Grimard.
• Prefabricated Transformer Stations Medium-voltage prefabricated transformer stations designed for subway and transit infrastructure, supplied to transportation authorities.
• Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Technology solutions for traffic management including surveillance cameras, Bluetooth sensors, wireless networks, traffic signal synchronization, and real-time monitoring systems for municipal and provincial transportation authorities.
• Structured Cabling and Fiber Optics Design and installation of copper and fiber-optic cabling infrastructure for telecommunications networks in commercial buildings, healthcare facilities, and infrastructure projects.
• Physical Security Systems Security solutions including video surveillance, access control systems, and alarm systems for buildings, industrial facilities, and distribution centers.
• Wireless Networks (DAS/Radio) Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) and wireless network solutions for connectivity in buildings, transportation infrastructure, and industrial sites.
• Electrical Construction Services Large-scale electrical installation and construction services for transportation infrastructure, energy production facilities, and heavy industry, with multidisciplinary teams covering construction, civil engineering, switchgear, and telecommunications.
• Industrial Maintenance Services Ongoing maintenance contracts at industrial facilities such as Rio Tinto's aluminum smelters and power generation sites, providing recurring service revenue.

Named customers21 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• SNC-LavalincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSNC-Lavalin is a major project partner on large-scale infrastructure projects including the MUHC Glen Site and the supply of over 30 e-houses for the Altalink network in Alberta. SNC-Lavalin awards Grimard contracts as part of consortium arrangements.
• Rio TintocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRio Tinto has maintained a partnership with Grimard for nearly 40 years for electrical maintenance and construction work across multiple facilities (Jonquière complex, Grande-Baie smelter, Laterrière smelter, Port facilities, Alma smelter). More recently, Grimard secured a $6M office construction project at Vaudreuil and various refurbishment contracts ($12M) at Rio Tinto facilities.
• Hydro-QuébeccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHydro-Québec is a major strategic client for Grimard across switchgear manufacturing, electrical installation, and maintenance. Grimard holds a strategic contract to replace all 11kV switchgear at a Hydro-Québec power plant (largest peripheral switch order, manufacturing until 2025). Also involved in Romaine-3, Romaine-4, and Carillon generating stations.
• Hydro OnecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHydro One has a 3-year blanket agreement (renewed for 5 years since 2017) for Grimard to supply all low-voltage automatic transfer switches (ATS) across Hydro One's network in Ontario.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Siemens: Global manufacturer of switchgear, transformers, and ITS technology. An existing Grimard supplier-partner (ITS components for Turcot/Bonaventure) and a competitor in the same MV switchgear and transportation-electrification tenders.
• ABB: Global switchgear, substation, and automation major. A direct customer of Grimard (supplied automation panels for Copper Mountain, Cadillac, Rainbow Lake, Eel River) and a competitor in medium-voltage switchgear across utility and industrial projects.
• Pomerleau: Large Quebec-based general contractor that frequently self-performs or subcontracts major electrical scopes on the same infrastructure, transportation, and institutional projects (e.g., Turcot, Champlain Bridge area) that Grimard bids on.
• Schneider Electric: Global incumbent in switchgear, motor control, and power distribution equipment; competes with Grimard in custom switchgear tenders and is also a likely technology partner on panel/automation work.
• Eaton: Major North American manufacturer of low- and medium-voltage switchgear, switchboards, and automatic transfer switches — directly overlapping with Grimard's core product lines (LV/MV switchgear, ATS for Hydro One).

Direct peers

• Stantec: Canadian engineering consultancy with power, transportation, and industrial practices that overlap with Grimard's electrical and telecom project delivery, particularly on utility and transportation infrastructure.
• WSP Global: Canadian engineering and project-management consultancy with strong T&D, transportation, and industrial practices; competes with Grimard's engineering services and often serves as owner's engineer on the same Hydro-Québec and MTQ mandates.
• AtkinsRéalis (formerly SNC-Lavalin): Quebec-rooted engineering and construction firm and existing Grimard partner on large infrastructure projects (e.g., MUHC Glen Site, Altalink e-houses in Alberta). Competes for the same major public-tender mandates in transportation, energy, and industrial electrical work in Canada.

Regional players

• BBA: Quebec-based engineering firm specializing in power, mining, and industrial projects; competes for the same heavy-industry and utility mandates in Quebec (mining, aluminum, hydroelectric).
• CIMA+: Quebec engineering consultancy with strong transportation-electrical and T&D practices; comparable regional competitor for engineering scopes on MTQ, Ville de Montréal, and utility projects.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/grimard

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Grimard