At Hillcore, everything we are today has been built from a commitment to safety and innovation; not as two competing priorities, but as a unified twin engine that drives how we invest, operate, and create value across our network of industrial companies. As a privately held Canadian company with a growing portfolio of trusted partners, we’re committed to creating solutions that enable safer, more efficient operations across North America.

From day one, our approach has been guided by our values: Integrity, Safety, Collaboration, and Innovation. To us, these values are more than words on a wall or website. They’re the lens through which we make decisions, select portfolio companies, and measure performance. And while each value is undeniably important, safety and innovation stand out as two deeply intertwined pillars, especially on the job site.

Safety Has Always Been Non-Negotiable

The safety of our people will always come first. Because safety sits at the heart of everything our organization and culture have been built upon. For us, safety goes well beyond regulatory compliance and meeting minimum standards. It’s about building an environment (on-site and in-office) where every person understands the impact of their actions, looks out for their team, and feels empowered to speak up if something doesn’t look or feel right.

To support these environments, we consistently work to improve our safety practices and support our operating companies in maintaining the highest standards in everything they do. This mindset of constant improvement shapes the way projects are planned and executed, from scoping and scheduling to training, supervision, and equipment deployment. It also influences how we think about investments, prioritizing partners and companies that share our uncompromising commitment to sending everyone home safe at the end of the day, every day.

Innovation is the Engine for Safer, Smarter Work

Safety is a solid foundation, but in our rapidly changing industrial landscape, it’s not enough to stand out and excel. To keep ourselves agile, adaptable, and forward-looking, innovation needs to be a co-foundational element that shows up in both our investment strategies and day-to-day operations. We specialize in identifying and nurturing high-potential opportunities for acquisition, investment, and integration into our growing industrial network. Consistently innovating empowers us to anticipate market trends, respond quickly to change, and help our portfolio companies adapt to new technologies, regulations, and client expectations.

It’s important to note that innovation here isn’t limited to new tools or technologies. It also impacts creative problem-solving, our team members' continuous improvement, and adaptive thinking at every level of the business. By fostering a dynamic environment that encourages the sharing of ideas and rewards practical improvements, we support the exploration of new possibilities by pushing boundaries to deliver sustainable growth and enduring value.

Where Safety and Innovation Meet

But how do safety and innovation intersect? In short, they meet everywhere: on the job site, in the field, in the office, and on the shop floor. Across our portfolio, we see this intersection every day.

Our companies operate in demanding sectors ranging from mechanical services and infrastructure construction to industrial fabrication, fluid management, logistics, and electrical construction. In these environments, innovation is often driven by safety: new work methods that reduce exposure to risk, improved planning tools that prevent incidents before they occur, or engineered solutions that minimize manual handling and high-hazard operations.

At the same time, a strong safety culture creates stable conditions for innovation. When people trust that their well-being is a top priority and feel safe in their environment, they’re more willing to share ideas, flag issues, and help create solutions that support continuous improvement. Collaboration (another Hillcore value) then helps turn those insights into better procedures, smarter workflows, and safer ways to deliver complex projects. Safety and innovation are strong elements on their own, but they’re so much stronger together.

The Benefits of Safety-Driven Innovation

So what do the benefits of safety-driven innovation look like on a day-to-day basis? Better performance, more efficient workflows, and more consistent results. On a practical level, this can mean:

• Thoughtful construction sequencing and modularization that reduce time at height or in confined spaces.
• Strategic planning and quality systems that minimize rework to keep projects on schedule.
• Using specialized equipment and techniques to reduce manual labour, limit exposure to hazardous environments, and improve productivity.
• Leveraging data-informed decision-making that identifies trends, near misses, and opportunities to improve before they become incidents.

Because we operate as an industrial network, lessons learned in one sector can easily be translated to another. A creative solution developed on a heavy civil project might inform safer procedures in industrial maintenance, or a new approach to fluid management might shape how we think about environmental protection on other sites. This cross-pollination of ideas is a key part of exceeding expectations by raising the bar for safety and performance.

Building Smarter and Safer Every Day

Each of our portfolio companies operates independently, with its own leadership, expertise, and talented teams. Bringing deep technical expertise and a shared commitment to safety to each project they’re a part of, many of our companies are recognized in their industries for their safe performance and innovative practices. While our companies are diverse in their skills, they’re united in a strong foundation of safety and innovation that allows them to consistently deliver on their commitments.

As we continue to expand our industrial network, this consistency is a vital part of the value we provide. Because at the end of the day, the industrial world doesn’t stand still, so neither can our practices. New technologies, evolving regulations, and changing expectations from clients and our communities demand a proactive approach.

At Hillcore, we see this as an opportunity. By continuing to invest in proven performers, strengthening our culture of safety, and encouraging innovation at every level, we’re building an industrial network that is prepared for what comes next. Powered by safety-driven innovation, we’ll continue to deliver reliable, forward-looking solutions that meet our clients' demands and support the long-term success of our people and partners.