MRO
MRO Magazine is a Canadian B2B trade publication founded in 1985 that serves maintenance, repair, and asset management professionals across multiple heavy-industry verticals via print, digital, podcast, webinar, video, and event channels under Annex Business Media.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1985
- HeadquartersToronto, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What MRO does
MRO Magazine is a Canadian B2B trade publication serving maintenance, repair, and asset management professionals across multiple heavy-industry verticals including aerospace, automotive, energy, food and beverage, government, machine building, manufacturing, metals, mining, transportation and logistics, and utilities. The title has been in continuous publication since 1985 and operates under the ownership of Annex Business Media, a Toronto-based diversified business media company. The publication distributes editorial content through a multi-channel platform comprising a print magazine, digital edition, e-newsletter, podcasts, webinars, videos, live event coverage, and dedicated vertical sub-brands such as the Food & Beverage Digital Edition, with a French-language companion site (machinesetequipementsmfo.ca) supporting bilingual reach.
The business model combines paid subscriptions with advertising and sponsorship across print and digital channels, supplemented by event-related income and a co-branded job board (Manufacturing Jobsite). Editorial coverage includes industry conferences such as IMTS, MainTrain, and FABTECH Canada, and the brand maintains editorial alignment with professional bodies including PEMAC, SMRP, and CanWEA. The publication is operated by a small editorial team of approximately seven staff and relies on Annex Business Media for shared back-office and audience cross-sell.
MRO firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MRO
- Legal name
- MRO Magazine
- Website
- https://mromagazine.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1985
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- MRO Magazine is a Canadian B2B trade publication founded in 1985 that serves maintenance, repair, and asset management professionals across multiple heavy-industry verticals via print, digital, podcast, webinar, video, and event channels under Annex Business Media.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MRO industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Trade Publication / Industrial Media
- NAICS
- Periodical Publishers (51312), Periodical Publishers (513120)
- SIC
- Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Business, Finance & Industry Trade Magazines (MPAJAEAM)
Keywords
Where MRO is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Toronto
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
MRO business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Magazine and E-news Subscriptions: Subscription-based access to print and digital magazine content along with email newsletters for maintenance and asset management professionals in Canada.
- Advertising and Sponsorship: Sponsored webinars, display advertising on the website and in publications, and branded content opportunities for B2B companies targeting the MRO industry.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Magazine + Enews subscription |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
MRO product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MRO Magazine is a Canadian B2B trade publication delivering news, in-depth features, podcasts, webinars, digital editions, and industry event coverage for maintenance, repair, operations, and asset management professionals across Canadian industrial sectors. The publication is distributed via print subscriptions, digital edition, email newsletters, sponsored webinars, and online content channels, all operated under Annex Business Media's portfolio of industrial media brands.
Product overview
MRO Magazine is Canada's industry voice for maintenance and asset managers since 1985, operated by Annex Business Media. The publication offers a multi-platform content portfolio including a print and digital magazine, Enewsletter, Podcasts, Webinars, Videos, and Digital Editions covering topics such as engineering, facilities maintenance, health & safety, human resources, lubrication, machinery and equipment maintenance, manufacturing, operations, and preventative maintenance. The magazine serves industries including aerospace, automotive, energy, food & beverage, government, machine building, manufacturing, metals, mining & resources, transportation & logistics, and utilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- MRO Magazine (Print & Digital) Canada's industry publication for maintenance and asset managers since 1985, available in both print and digital formats, covering maintenance, repair, operations, and asset management topics across Canadian industrial sectors.
- MRO Enewsletter Regular electronic newsletter delivering industry news, features, and updates to subscribers in the Canadian MRO sector.
- MRO Podcasts Audio content featuring industry discussions, interviews, and expert insights on maintenance and reliability topics for Canadian MRO professionals.
- MRO Webinars Online educational and sponsored events covering maintenance technology, industry trends, and professional development topics for the MRO sector.
- MRO Events & Virtual Events Coverage Calendar and editorial coverage of industry events including International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS), MainTrain conference, FABTECH Canada, and virtual industry conferences.
- MRO Videos Video content featuring panel discussions, case studies, and industry expert interviews on maintenance and manufacturing topics.
- MRO Digital Edition Online archive and digital version of the magazine delivered via the Issuu platform for interactive reading.
- Food & Beverage Digital Edition Specialized digital edition focused on food and beverage industry maintenance and operations, delivered via Issuu.
Companies that use MRO
Customer profileSegments6 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
MRO technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
MRO partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered featured and core.
- MFE Inspection SolutionsfeaturedBlackline Safety partnered with MFE Inspection Solutions to integrate Blackline's portable gas detector with Boston Dynamics' mobile robot Spot for real-time gas detection in hazardous industrial environments.
- TKMSfeaturedGastops partnered with German naval systems firm TKMS to establish an Automation System In-Service Support (ASISS) Centre of Excellence in Canada for the Royal Canadian Navy's patrol submarine program, supporting long-term operation and maintenance of submarine automation systems.
- Annex Business MediacoreMRO Magazine is published by Annex Business Media, a Canadian business media company. The publication operates as part of Annex Business Media's network of industry-specific publications including Canadian Manufacturing, Plant, and other industrial media properties.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights5 records
MRO competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Automation.com: A digital-first B2B publication focused on industrial automation, control systems, and MRO technology — comparable in audience overlap with MRO Magazine but differentiated as a digital-native, automation-specific platform.
Broad incumbents
- Thomas Publishing / Thomasnet: A long-established industrial B2B media and sourcing platform serving manufacturers and industrial buyers — comparable as a broad incumbent in industrial information services, with a much larger audience and digital sourcing footprint than MRO Magazine.
- IndustryWeek: A major U.S.-based B2B media brand covering manufacturing operations, maintenance, and technology — a broader incumbent serving industrial decision-makers with deeper resources and a wider audience than MRO Magazine.
- Plant Engineering: A long-established U.S. B2B trade publication covering plant engineering, maintenance, and operations. Operates as a broader brand portfolio under CFE Media with deeper resources and a wider geographic footprint than MRO Magazine.
Direct peers
- Canadian Manufacturing: A Canadian B2B trade publication (also under Annex Business Media) covering manufacturing automation, operations, and industry news — directly comparable by geography, parent publisher, and overlapping industrial audience.
- Maintenance Technology: A U.S.-based B2B trade publication focused on maintenance and reliability professionals, with a similar editorial mission to MRO Magazine in covering predictive maintenance, asset management, and reliability engineering for industrial audiences.
- Plant Magazine: A Canadian B2B trade magazine (also owned by Annex Business Media) covering plant operations, manufacturing, and industrial management — directly comparable by geographic focus, parent company, and audience overlap with MRO Magazine.
- Industrial Maintenance & Plant Operations (IMPO): A B2B trade publication covering industrial maintenance, plant operations, and MRO topics — directly comparable in editorial scope, audience, and revenue model to MRO Magazine.
- Reliable Plant Magazine: A B2B trade publication focused on reliability, maintenance, and asset management professionals — directly comparable in audience (reliability and maintenance practitioners) and editorial content to MRO Magazine.
- Design Engineering (Canada): A Canadian B2B trade magazine (also under Annex Business Media) covering engineering and design content for industrial manufacturers — directly comparable in audience, geography, and parent-company structure.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
MRO social profiles
Digital presenceMRO compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
MRO financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MRO leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
MRO funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MRO M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about MRO
What does MRO do?
MRO Magazine is a Canadian B2B trade publication delivering news, in-depth features, podcasts, webinars, digital editions, and industry event coverage for maintenance, repair, operations, and asset management professionals across Canadian industrial sectors. The publication is distributed via print subscriptions, digital edition, email newsletters, sponsored webinars, and online content channels, all operated under Annex Business Media's portfolio of industrial media brands.
Is MRO a public or private company?
MRO is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was MRO founded?
MRO was founded in 1985. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is MRO based?
MRO is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, in the North America region.
How does MRO make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Magazine and E-news Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are advertising and Sponsorship.
Who are MRO's main competitors?
Automation.com is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Thomas Publishing / Thomasnet, IndustryWeek and Plant Engineering. Direct peers are Canadian Manufacturing, Maintenance Technology, Plant Magazine, Industrial Maintenance & Plant Operations (IMPO), Reliable Plant Magazine and Design Engineering (Canada).
Does MRO have an API?
No public API is recorded for MRO.
What industry is MRO in?
MRO's product category is Trade Publication / Industrial Media. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJAEAM, Business, Finance & Industry Trade Magazines. Its NAICS code is 51312 and its SIC code is 2721.