What MPM Engineering does

MPM Engineering Ltd. is a privately held Canadian systems integrator founded in 1980 in Surrey, British Columbia, specializing in sawmill optimization and machine automation. The company designs, manufactures, installs, and supports custom solutions for industrial wood processing operators worldwide, with installed systems in 16 countries across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America. Its product portfolio centers on four lines: (1) Log Processing Optimization (bucking/merchandizing, log sorting, log rotation, log breakdown, cant optimization); (2) Board Processing Optimization (edger and trimmer optimizers); (3) the MillEye wood size inspection system for in-process dimensional verification and predictive maintenance; and (4) Lumber Sorting using PLC-based custom bin sorting. The technology stack is built on proprietary optimization algorithms that geometrically model both logs and downstream sawmill machinery, true-shape 3D scanning introduced in Canada in 1990, and multi-vendor PLC and HMI/SCADA integration (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Modicon, GE, Mitsubishi, Omron, Rockwell FactoryTalk, Citect, Wonderware), with Microsoft SQL Server and Crystal Reports for production data and reporting.

The business model is custom, project-based enterprise sales. MPM conducts site assessments, designs tailored systems, fabricates CSA/UL-certified electrical panels in its 5,000 sq ft shop (added 2009), deploys the system, and provides ongoing technical support, software updates, and maintenance — yielding a mix of one-time project licensing and recurring support revenue. GTM motion is direct enterprise field sales supported by referrals and customer testimonials from major sawmill operators including Weyerhaeuser (20+ year relationship), Stimson Lumber, Allied Timber Products, James Jones & Sons (13+ years), and Gilbert Smith (30+ years). Marketing is technical and relationship-driven — corporate website, trade shows, industry publications, and the 1995 Business in Vancouver "Passport to Export" award — rather than high-volume digital demand generation. R&D is run through the wholly-owned subsidiary MPM Research Inc. (incorporated 1997).

Beyond its primary sawmill vertical, MPM has extended its PLC, HMI/SCADA, and control panel capabilities into adjacent industrial segments over the past two decades, including mining (tungsten, diamond, coal), hydroelectric, oil and gas, and water management. The company remains privately held by its original founders, has never raised external funding, and operates with a small specialized team (11-50 employees) supporting a global install base that has been continuously active for over 40 years.

Name

MPM Engineering

Legal name

MPM Engineering Ltd.

Website

https://mpmeng.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

MPM Engineering Ltd. is a privately held Canadian systems integrator, founded 1980 in Surrey, BC, that designs, builds, and supports custom sawmill optimization, scanning, and PLC/HMI automation systems for enterprise wood-processing and adjacent industrial operators across 16+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sawmill Optimization and Industrial Automation Systems

NAICS

Sawmill, Woodworking, and Paper Machinery Manufacturing (333243)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Custom/Contract Sawing & Portable Sawmilling (IMAMABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Instrumentation, Controls & Automation (DCS/PLC/SCADA, SIS, Metering) (EUAEAFAC), Forestry & Logging Equipment (IMAHACAK)

Keywords

• Sawmill optimization systems
• Wood processing automation
• PLC control systems
• HMI SCADA solutions
• Industrial control panels

Headquarters

HQ city

Surrey

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, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Custom Optimization Systems: Design, development, and installation of custom sawmill optimization systems including software, hardware, and controls. Revenue generated through project-based custom system sales with ongoing support and maintenance.
2. Automation Systems: PLC-based automation systems, HMI/SCADA solutions, and control panels for wood processing and other industries. Project-based installations with potential for ongoing service contracts.
3. Custom Electrical Panels: Design and fabrication of electrical panels including MCC panels, VFD panels, operator consoles, and control panels. CSA and UL certified shop capabilities.
4. Ongoing Support and Maintenance: Ongoing technical support, software updates, and system maintenance services for installed optimization and automation systems worldwide.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

MPM Engineering designs, builds, installs, and supports custom sawmill optimization and machine automation systems. Core offerings include proprietary scanning-and-optimization software (bucking, log rotation, log breakdown, cant, edger, trimmer, lumber sorting, and MillEye wood size inspection), PLC-based control systems and HMI/SCADA solutions, and custom-designed electrical control panels fabricated in-house. Systems are deployed on-premise at customer sawmills and select mining, energy, and water management facilities worldwide.

Product overview

MPM Engineering is an industry-leading provider of sawmill optimization and automation systems, founded in 1980 and headquartered in Surrey, BC, Canada. The product portfolio centers on four core product lines: (1) Optimization Systems including Log Processing Optimization (Bucking/Merchandizing, Log Sorting, Log Rotation, Log Breakdown, Cant Optimization), Board Processing Optimization (Edger Optimizer, Trimmer Optimizer), MillEye Wood Size Inspection System, and Lumber Sorting System; (2) Automation Systems including PLC Control Systems and HMI/SCADA solutions; (3) Custom Systems for specialized sensors, scanning, industrial electronics, and software; and (4) Electrical Panel fabrication and design services. All optimization products are built on proprietary software and 3D machinery modeling, with Microsoft Windows interfaces and SQL Server/Crystal Reports backends. The systems are installed on-premise at customer sawmills worldwide, serving clients in Canada, USA, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Poland, Russia, UK, Ireland, Germany, and China.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MillEye: Wood Size Inspection System - a highly sensitive scanning technology that measures wood dimensions within the production process to determine if machinery is cutting on-size and raises alarms if deviations exceed maximum allowable target sizes.

Products and services

• Log Processing Optimization
• Board Processing Optimization
• MillEye Wood Size Inspection System
• Lumber Sorting System
• PLC Control Systems
• HMI/SCADA Solutions
• Control Panels
• Custom Systems
• Electrical Panels

Quantifiable outcome

• Operating speeds of 200+ lugs per minute for lumber sorting
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration44 records

AI capability9 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hermary Opto Electronics Inc.coreTechnology or IntegrationMachine Vision Technology company founded by two engineers in 1990, focused on 2D and 3D vision and automation solutions for the sawmill industry. Their full range of scanning products are designed for durability, speed, and ease of use for modern sawmills. Products include complete image processing of four-sided geometric shapes, Color Vision for defect and grade, plus Sheet of Light scanners.
• JoeScancoreTechnology or Integration3-D laser scanning technology provider that revolutionized the wood products industry. Non-contact laser measurement enables mills to optimize cutting decisions and maximize yield. JoeScan's technology is recognized for reliability and technical advancement in laser scanning solutions.
• BEP Engineering Services Ltd.minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEngineering services company with roots in mill and industrial design. Over 27 years experience in design of new operations and upgrading/modification of existing plants. Provides expert design and technical advice for solving technical and production problems.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• RemaSawco: Swedish-based supplier of scanning, optimization and automation systems for the wood processing industry. Closest direct competitor to MPM, offering X-ray and optical scanning for sawmills with a similar go-to-market model.
• JoeScan: US-based provider of 3D laser scanning systems for sawmills. While also a listed MPM technology partner, JoeScan independently markets scanning hardware into the same sawmill optimization market and competes for the sensing layer of the optimization stack.
• FinScan: Finnish producer of 3D log scanning and bucking optimization equipment for sawmills. Sells a directly comparable product to MPM's log bucking/breakdown optimization in the European sawmill market.
• Hermary Opto Electronics: Canadian machine vision technology company specializing in 2D and 3D vision systems for sawmills. Listed MPM integration partner but also a competitor in selling scanning and vision capability into the same optimization buyers.
• Microtec: European provider of scanning, optimization and grading solutions for the wood and stone industries. Direct competitor in the sawmill optimization segment with multi-sensor (laser, X-ray, color) product offerings analogous to MPM's stack.
• Lucidyne: Color wood grading and scanning specialist for the lumber industry. Competes with MPM's image-analysis-based optimization products, particularly in board scanning and defect detection for sortation and trim decisions.
• Spherex: European specialist in X-ray and CT-based log and board scanning for sawmill optimization. Competes with MPM in the higher-end scanning tier of the same customer base, particularly in Scandinavia.

Broad incumbents

• Siemens: Global industrial automation and digitalization giant offering PLCs, SCADA, drives, and increasingly industrial AI/edge analytics. Competes with MPM's automation layer and is increasingly competing for sawmill digitalization projects at the largest enterprise accounts.
• ABB: Global industrial automation, drives and robotics supplier with installed bases across process industries. Competes with MPM's control systems and drives integration work in mining, energy, and industrial customers adjacent to MPM's sawmill core.
• Rockwell Automation: Owner of Allen-Bradley and FactoryTalk, the dominant North American PLC and SCADA platforms that MPM programs on. Competes for the same industrial automation budgets and could absorb sawmill optimization capabilities into a broader portfolio play.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/MPM-Engineering-Ltd-177326488968922
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mpm-engineering-ltd-

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 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 MPM Engineering