Who is TradeTech?

Trade Tech began with two best friends who wanted to create more than just a paycheck. In 1998, Walter and his friend Dan left Sault Ste. Marie—leaders in their field but frustrated by poor leadership and stagnant opportunities—and headed south to Whitby to build something better for themselves, their families, and the people who would join them.

The name Trade Tech came from their combined mechanical and fabrication knowledge in plant maintenance, millwrighting, engines, hydraulics, pneumatics, and welding. Starting without a clearly defined direction, they explored every avenue: mechanical work, millwrighting, machine building, construction, and more. In the early days, all possibilities were on the table. They first rented an 800-square-foot shop, barely big enough to accommodate the equipment, let alone operate comfortably. From there, they began building a company around one simple promise: do what you say, and do it well, regardless of the obstacles that may arise.

The early days were gritty. Money was tight, debt was real, and their first major opportunity came wrapped in risk. They took on a make-or-break project that demanded everything they had. They secured financing on harsh terms, bet on themselves, and delivered the project in full. That success didn’t just keep the doors open; it proved that Trade Tech had a future worth fighting for. As a wise man once said, “Don’t let fear or common sense hold you back.”

From there, Trade Tech outgrew every space it occupied. The original 800-square-foot rental shop gave way to spaces of 1,500, 3,000, and eventually 13,000 square feet as walls were knocked down and demand continued to rise.

In 2008, with the threat of recession looming, Walt risked it all to build both a permanent residence and a future for Trade Tech’s employees. Acquiring land in Bowmanville paved the way for the first purpose-built Trade Tech shop—a true home with 18,000 square feet, three fabrication bays, and overhead cranes. It marked the transition from survival to momentum.

In 2017–2018, Trade Tech expanded once again, building a new 32,000-square-foot fabrication shop and a 6,000-square-foot office in Port Hope. This space created room for larger teams, introduced additional capabilities in aluminum and stainless steel, and attracted leaders who have helped shape the company into the versatile, solution-driven partner it is today.

Through it all, one belief has remained unchanged: people are at the core of Trade Tech. From the beginning, Trade Tech has been a place where hardworking men and women have the opportunity to practise their craft—a place where students, apprentices, and experienced tradespeople can learn, lead, and pass down their knowledge and skills. Whether they have built lifelong careers here or used their time with us as a launching pad for something greater, we invest in our people.

“Set the next person up for success. Do not set traps.”

— A principle we’ve lived by since day one.

This philosophy is why we keep as much as possible in-house. Not because it’s easy, but because it creates meaningful local employment.

In construction and manufacturing, even small communication gaps can disrupt project momentum. By keeping every discipline in-house—from project selection and management to drafting, fabrication, and installation—Trade Tech creates a unified team that collaborates in real time, keeps details aligned, and reduces the friction inherent in handoffs. With every discipline under one roof, we establish full accountability, remove obstacles, and drive projects forward with the clarity, confidence, and craftsmanship our partners have come to rely on.

Over its 28 years, Trade Tech’s growth has been steady and incremental, both in facility size and team membership. Today, Trade Tech is home to a team of 75 skilled professionals, with 70 tons of combined overhead crane capacity, a full-time engineer, expanding in-house capabilities, and Division 1 CWB certification. We continue to build a growing reputation as one of the region’s most trusted metals solution providers.

We also believe in giving back to our community and supporting local students through co-op placements and apprenticeships. We continually evolve our processes, systems, and team year after year.

As the second generation, I’m proud to carry on the legacy Walter has built and to protect the launchpad that Trade Tech has become for so many people. This company has changed lives, created opportunities, and given many tradespeople the chance to build careers they can be proud of.

My mission isn’t to chase numbers; it’s to grow the company through people, talent, and craftsmanship. The numbers simply support the art of our craft.

We think in generations here. I see Trade Tech as a place where the third and fourth generations of our family, along with the families of our team members, can learn, grow, build successful futures, and take pride in their craft.

Our shared vision is simple: to remain a reliable construction partner, maintain a diverse portfolio of custom fabrication and installation work, and grow steadily and consistently, evolving organically along the way.

This is who we’ve been since 1998.

This is who we are today.

And this is who we’ll continue to be.

Mathew Hillman