Patrick Mechanical Ltd. served as the mechanical general contractor for the Calabrian SO₂ Clean Plant in Timmins, Ontario. This project marked a major milestone as the first facility of its kind in Canada. Running from July 2016 to February 2017, the turnkey build included the complete fabrication and installation of a state-of-the-art sulfur dioxide plant.
Our team managed all mechanical elements and coordinated every sub-trade involved, including civil, electrical, refrigeration, insulation, and non-destructive examination (NDE). At peak, the site employed approximately 80 skilled tradespeople.
Meeting Complex Challenges with Precision
One of the primary challenges involved adapting a plant design originally developed for Texas to withstand the harsher climate of Northern Ontario. In addition to the environmental demands, we faced a condensed construction schedule and high expectations for quality control.
To overcome these challenges, we implemented robust tracking systems for time and materials, introduced optimized shift rotations to improve on-site productivity, and ensured clear communication of all QA and QC requirements. These strategies allowed us to maintain progress while upholding safety and quality across the board.
Delivering Results Ahead of Schedule
We completed the Calabrian SO₂ project ahead of schedule. Every aspect of the installation met or exceeded quality benchmarks. This success was driven by our team’s commitment to excellence and reinforced through:
Elevated documentation and traceability standards
Increased efficiency across all phases of the workflow
A seamless and timely closeout process
Each project milestone was met with care and precision, reflecting our company’s values of accountability, performance, and reliability
Lessons Working on Surface Plants
This project set a new internal benchmark for how we plan and execute complex industrial builds. Lessons learned in quality assurance, communication, and site coordination have become part of our standard project management process.
Today, these improvements continue to strengthen our position as a trusted mechanical contractor across Northern Ontario. We remain committed to applying these best practices across every project, delivering consistent, high-quality results to our clients.
