What Groupe MBI does

Groupe MBI is a Quebec-based, family-controlled industrial services group that specializes in refractory construction, repair, and maintenance along with corrosion protection for large industrial operators. The group is organized as 11 wholly-owned subsidiaries covering the full refractory value chain: MBI Maçonnerie Blanchette (administrative hub and traditional masonry, founded 1905), MBI Maintenance Blanchette (industrial refractory maintenance), Brasco International (international refractory assembly, founded 1989), M\u00e9tallurgie Brasco Entretien (aluminum smelter maintenance in Saguenay\u2013Lac-Saint-Jean and C\u00f4te-Nord, founded 1991), Multi-pi\u00e8ces Blanchette (custom refractory parts manufacturing in a 2,415 sq meter facility with 1260\u00b0C furnace capacity, founded 1995), MBI Corexcel (corrosion-resistant masonry, formed 2000 in alliance with Corexcel Technologies), Location de personnel MPM (specialized staffing, 120+ workers), and Reftech (refractory materials and engineering consultancy, acquired 2014). Operations are headquartered in B\u00e9cancour's Waterfront Industrial Park with additional offices in Sept-\u00celes, Hawkesbury (Ontario), and project sites across Europe, South America, Africa, the Middle East, and North America. Customers include Alcoa, Rio Tinto Alcan, Aluminerie de B\u00e9cancour, Aluminerie Alouette, Produits Forestiers Resolu, Domtar, Kruger, Vale Inco, Glencore, and Kronos. Ownership remains with the Blanchette family across four generations (Michel Blanchette as President, with son Luc, brother Pierre, and cousin Marc as senior partners), with no institutional equity or venture capital involvement other than a 2016 investment by Capital r\u00e9gional et coop\u00e9ratif Desjardins.

Name

Groupe MBI

Legal name

Groupe MBI

Website

https://groupembi.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1905

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Groupe MBI is a Quebec-based, family-controlled industrial services group of 11 subsidiaries specializing in refractory construction, repair, and maintenance, plus corrosion protection, serving aluminum smelters, pulp and paper mills, mining, and chemical operators across Canada and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Quebec

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Industrial Maintenance Services: Refractory and corrosion-resistant masonry maintenance services for industrial facilities including kilns, boilers, furnaces, and tanks
2. Refractory Construction: Construction of refractory installations for aluminum smelters, steel mills, and other industrial applications
3. Prefabrication: Custom manufacturing of refractory parts, refractory concrete products, and concrete products for industrial use
4. Personnel Outsourcing: Supply of specialized and non-specialized personnel to address staffing needs of various industries

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Groupe MBI is a Quebec-based industrial services group specializing in refractory and anti-corrosion masonry for the metallurgy, pulp and paper, and mining industries. Through a network of 11 subsidiary companies, the group delivers refractory maintenance, refractory construction, prefabrication of custom refractory and concrete parts, corrosion protection for industrial tanks and structures, and personnel outsourcing for industrial clients. Operations are anchored in a 2,415 sq. metre manufacturing facility in Bécancour's Waterfront Industrial Park, equipped with high-temperature furnaces reaching 1260°C.

Product overview

Groupe MBI is a Quebec-based industrial services conglomerate comprising 11 subsidiary companies specializing in refractory services and corrosion protection for metallurgy, pulp and paper, and mining industries. The portfolio includes MBI Maçonnerie Blanchette (administrative hub, traditional/industrial masonry), MBI Maintenance Blanchette (industrial refractory maintenance), Brasco International (refractory assembly for aluminum smelters), Métalurgie Brasco Entretien (aluminum smelter maintenance), Multi-pièces Blanchette (refractory parts manufacturing), MBI Corexcel (corrosion-resistant masonry), Location de personnel MPM (staffing services), and Reftech (refractory materials). Services offered include refractory maintenance, refractory construction, and prefabrication of refractory parts, all delivered through synergistic operations at the Bécancour Industrial Park facility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Refractory Maintenance
• Refractory Construction
• Prefabrication of Refractory and Concrete Parts
• Corrosion-Resistant and Refractory Masonry Services
• Industrial Personnel Outsourcing
• Aluminum Smelter Pot Lining and De-lining Services
• International Refractory Assembly, Repair, and Maintenance
• Refractory Materials and Consulting Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 75,000 injury-free hours achieved at Long Harbour, Newfoundland project in 2013

Named customers12 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Corexcel TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2000Strategic alliance formed in 2000 between Groupe MBI and Corexcel Technologies to offer broader spectrum of products and services to pulp and paper, chemical process, and metalworking industries. Led to creation of MBI Corexcel.
• SET LiningscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership for major refractory assembly projects and technical support mandates. Brasco International associates with SET Linings for global project execution.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pyrotek: Pyrotek supplies engineered materials and services to aluminum smelters and other high-temperature industries globally, including carbon cathodes, refractory systems, and equipment installation. Directly comparable to MBI on serving primary aluminum smelter customers with specialized installation and maintenance scope.
• Hatch Ltd. Canadian engineering and project delivery firm with deep mining, metals, and energy practices, including refractory and smelter-related engineering services. Comparable to MBI in serving Quebec and global mining/metallurgy customers with industrial construction and maintenance capabilities.

Broad incumbents

• RHI Magnesita: The world's largest refractory manufacturer and service provider, offering complete refractory solutions across steel, cement, glass, and non-ferrous metals. Comparable as a broad incumbent offering refractory products, installation, and maintenance services across all of MBI's end markets at global scale.
• Calderys: Global refractory solutions provider serving steel, aluminum, cement, and foundry customers with monolithic and shaped refractory products plus installation services. Comparable as a larger incumbent with overlapping aluminum smelter and industrial refractory service offerings.
• HarbisonWalker International: North America's largest refractory products manufacturer and installer serving steel, aluminum, glass, and industrial markets. Comparable as a broader incumbent offering refractory installation and maintenance services for similar industrial customer base.
• Refratechnik: Global refractory manufacturer with strength in non-ferrous metals (aluminum), steel, cement, and glass applications. Comparable as a broader incumbent supplying refractory materials and services to MBI's primary aluminum smelter and metals customer segments.
• Stantec: Major Canadian engineering, architecture, and industrial services firm with a significant mining and metals practice. Comparable as a much larger Canadian-based industrial services competitor with overlapping customer base in mining, metals, and pulp and paper.
• WSP Global: Global professional services firm headquartered in Montreal with deep mining, metals, and industrial maintenance capabilities. Comparable as a Canadian-headquartered broad incumbent offering industrial construction and maintenance services to similar end markets.

Emerging players

• Resco Products: North American refractory manufacturer offering monolithic and brick refractory products for steel, aluminum, and industrial markets. Comparable as a focused refractory player competing with MBI in industrial refractory products and installation.

Others

• Fives Group: French industrial engineering group supplying equipment and services for aluminum, steel, cement, and energy industries. Comparable as an adjacent industrial services and equipment provider for MBI's core aluminum and metals end markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Groupe MBI