SBSA

What SBSA does

SBSA Inc. is a Montreal-based structural engineering consultancy founded in 1962 (originally as Shector Barbacki Forte et Associés) operating across Quebec and Ontario. The firm provides structural design services for buildings ranging from industrial facilities and high-rises to heritage renovations and residential properties, using structural steel, reinforced concrete, and wood. Its core technology stack includes BIM-based workflows on REVIT, ETABS, and SAFE platforms, with 3D laser scanning for renovation projects where original drawings are unavailable.

The firm serves developers, property owners, industrial and manufacturing companies, government and institutional entities, architects, and residential property owners. Notable technical capabilities include non-standard structural steel connection design, ductile seismic-resisting systems, equipment support structures for industrial processes, and Bill 122 façade and parking garage inspections. SBSA generates revenue through fee-for-service project engagements across all phases from preliminary engineering to construction phase support, with pricing structured per-project and bid via competitive tenders or direct appointments. The firm is privately held with no disclosed institutional investment, operating from a single headquarters in Saint-Laurent (Montreal), Quebec.

Name

SBSA

Legal name

SBSA Inc.

Website

https://sbsa.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SBSA is a Montreal-based structural engineering consultancy founded in 1962, providing building design, industrial structures, and specialty structural services to developers, industrial firms, government, and architects across Quebec and Ontario.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Structural Engineering Services

NAICS

Engineering Services (541330), Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413)

SIC

Services-Engineering Services (8711), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Civil & Structural Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Architecture, Construction & Building Codes Reference (Design, BIM, Safety Codes) (EDAGAGAH)

Keywords

• Structural engineering consulting
• Building design services
• Industrial structural design
• BIM structural modeling
• Seismic retrofit design

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Laurent

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Structural Engineering Consulting Services: SBSA generates revenue through fee-for-service structural engineering consulting across project phases: preliminary engineering, detailed design, tender documents, and construction phase services. Revenue is project-based and contracted directly with clients (developers, property owners, architects, general contractors, government entities).

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

SBSA is a Montreal-based structural engineering consultancy that designs the structural systems of buildings and industrial facilities. Its services span preliminary engineering, detailed structural design, tender documents, construction-phase support, building code and Bill 122 façade/parking inspections, specialty/expert witness consulting, and residential structural work for renovations and repairs. Work is delivered using BIM-based workflows (Revit, ETABS, SAFE) supplemented by 3D laser scanning for existing-building retrofits.

Product overview

SBSA is a structural engineering firm offering a comprehensive portfolio of services rather than a software product. Their core offerings include Building Design (structural steel, reinforced concrete, and wood buildings), Industrial Structures (equipment supports, platforms, pipe racks), Connection Design (structural steel connections), Façade and Parking Garage Inspections (Bill 122 compliance), Specialty Services (legal/engineering expertise), and Residential Services. The firm also provides BIM integration services using REVIT, ETABS, and SAFE platforms, along with 3D laser scanning and advanced modeling capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Building Design Structural design services for all types of buildings from industrial structures to high-rises, covering foundation to roof using structural steel, reinforced concrete, and wood. Targeted at developers, property owners, architects, and government clients in Quebec and Ontario.
• Industrial Structures Design of industrial buildings, equipment support structures, access platforms, pipe supports, and specialized structural solutions for manufacturing, food processing, energy, healthcare, and data center facilities. Used by industrial companies undertaking new plants or modifications to operating facilities.
• Connection Design Design of all types of structural steel connections including non-standard connections, ductile bracing connections, and transfer truss connections for complex structural systems. Used by architects and structural teams on complex long-span and seismic-resisting projects.
• Façade and Parking Garage Inspections Verification of façades and parking garages in accordance with Quebec Bill 122, including structural inspections and repair coordination. Provided to building owners, property managers, and public-sector facility operators required to comply with Bill 122.
• Specialty Services Legal and engineering expertise services including expert witness testimony, structural assessments, and specialized consulting for complex engineering challenges. Used by legal teams, insurers, and owners requiring expert structural opinions.
• Residential Services Structural expertise for all types of renovations and repairs to individual properties including bearing wall removal, load bearing beam installation, and foundation work. Provided to individual homeowners and residential property managers in Quebec.

Quantifiable outcome

• 7 lbs rebar per sq.ft. achieved on complex projects (e.g., Sommer Building, Home2 Suites by Hilton), demonstrating highly efficient structural design
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, notable and regulatory.

• REVIT (Autodesk)coreTechnology or IntegrationSBSA integrates REVIT for BIM-based structural engineering workflows, enabling 3D modeling, design coordination, and clash detection with architects, mechanical engineers, and contractors. REVIT is used throughout the project lifecycle from preliminary design to construction documentation.
• ETABS (Computers and Structures, Inc.)coreTechnology or IntegrationSBSA uses ETABS for advanced structural analysis including 3D dynamic analysis for complex industrial buildings, seismic design, and deflection tolerance verification. ETABS is a core tool for their structural engineering work.
• SAFE (Computers and Structures, Inc.)coreTechnology or IntegrationSBSA uses SAFE for slab and foundation design, including flat plate slab analysis and foundation system optimization. SAFE complements ETABS for complete structural design workflows.
• BroccolinimajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBroccolini is a major design-build contractor and repeat client of SBSA, having collaborated on ABB Campus Montreal ($37M), Broccolini Corporate Centre Kirkland ($75M), Broccolini Corporate Centre Saint-Laurent 2 ($17M), and Canadian Tire Distribution Center ($105M) projects.
• Architecture 49majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitecture 49 served as architect on ABB Campus Montreal (Broccolini | Architecture 49 consortium) and Broccolini Corporate Centre Saint-Laurent 2. Long-standing collaborative relationship on major commercial projects.
• Gross Kaplin CovienskymajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitecture firm Gross Kaplin Coviensky led the design team for the Canadian Tire Distribution Center project, working with SBSA as structural engineers alongside teams from Toronto, Cleveland, and Cincinnati.
• SIM-CON (Steel Fabricator)notableImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSBSA collaborated with steel fabricator SIM-CON on the Yaldei Developmental Center project, sharing 3D Revit models and using laser scanning to establish precise geometry for steel fabrication.
• Seneca (Process Engineers)notableImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSeneca served as process engineers on Orbite Technologies HPA facility ($117M) and Nemaska Lithium Phase 1 Plant projects, with whom SBSA collaborated closely on structural modifications for new industrial processes.
• Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec (OIQ)regulatoryOthersSBSA is a member of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec (OIQ), Professional Engineers Ontario, and other national associations, as required for licensed structural engineering practice in Canada.
• Engtec (Process Equipment Supplier)notableTechnology or IntegrationEngtec served as process design engineer and equipment supplier for the Terrapure battery recycling plant modernization project in Saint-Catherine, Quebec, with whom SBSA coordinated structural modifications and new equipment supports.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Arup: Global structural engineering firm with strong heritage in long-span, seismic, and complex structural design. Comparable to SBSA in technical specialization and project complexity, though operating at much larger global scale.
• RJC Engineers (Read Jones Christoffersen): Canadian structural engineering consulting firm with offices across Canada, offering building design, restoration, and specialty structural services closely aligned with SBSA's core portfolio. Directly comparable as a Canadian-born structural specialist serving commercial, institutional, and heritage clients.
• Crossey Engineering: Toronto-based structural engineering firm with a similar mix of building design, industrial structures, and restoration work for commercial and institutional clients across Canada. Closely aligned mid-sized Canadian structural peer.
• Entuitive: Toronto-based structural engineering firm with a similar boutique, specialist positioning. Engages on building restoration, complex new builds, and industrial structures — directly comparable in scope and client type to SBSA.
• Buro Happold: International structural and facade engineering consultancy known for complex geometry, sustainability-focused design, and heritage work. Comparable on technical specialization (long-span, seismic, BIM-driven workflows) and project types SBSA pursues.

Broad incumbents

• EXP: Quebec-based global engineering, architecture, and consulting firm with structural engineering capabilities. Direct geographic overlap with SBSA in Quebec while operating at significantly larger scale and broader service offering.
• AECOM: Global infrastructure consulting firm with a structural engineering practice serving commercial, transportation, and institutional clients. Competes with SBSA on large complex projects but offers integrated multidisciplinary delivery at a far larger scale.
• Stantec: Canadian-headquartered global design and engineering firm with structural engineering as one of many disciplines. Overlaps with SBSA on commercial and institutional projects but typically pursues larger multidisciplinary mandates.
• WSP Global: One of Canada's largest professional services firms with a structural engineering practice alongside transportation, environment, and property services. Competes on many of the same tenders but offers full multidisciplinary scope rather than SBSA's structural-specialist focus.
• AtkinsRéalis (formerly SNC-Lavalin): Quebec-headquartered global engineering firm with structural and building services practices. Competes on Quebec-based institutional and industrial projects while offering a much broader portfolio of services than SBSA.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SBSAstructure
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sbsa-experts-conseils-en-structure

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 SBSA