A message from Mike Wilson, P.Eng., CEO, The AIL Group of Companies
We’ve come a long way since 1965
The year 2025 is a very special one for us all at Atlantic Industries Limited as we celebrate 60 years in business and look forward to many more.
Milestones like this cause us to both appreciate our past accomplishments and increase the focus on our future goals. Sure, we’ve been successful, but it hasn’t always been easy. Situations changed and we often had to go out and create our own opportunities — or, as I like to refer to it — engineer our own success.
Engineering and success have been part of our DNA since AIL’s humble beginnings in 1965, when my father, the late John W. Wilson, founded the company in Dorchester Cape, New Brunswick — with a $10,000 investment, a riveter and a staff of 10. It was a very small shop, as I recall when visiting it as a youngster. Dad shared a small front office with a secretary, Barb Bowser, while a lone salesman, Bill McEnery, sought business out on the road.
And we’re focussed on a successful and sustainable future
From that modest start, we have grown steadily through a commitment to the development of new products and product enhancements, dependable field service and strategic acquisitions.
Today, The AIL Group of Companies is a world leader in resilient and sustainable infrastructure solutions with locations across Canada, in the USA and with international licensees and partners. We have reinvested in our facilities with new equipment, robotics and solar-assisted manufacturing. And, we are committed to being carbon neutral by 2050.
Our strength has always been our talented people and our great customers. We could not have achieved our success without them.
Please take a moment to check out our 60th Anniversary Brochure with a pictorial timeline of some of our more notable accomplishments and milestones over the years.
Download our 60th Anniversary Brochure >>
Family-owned businesses make up over 60% of Canadian companies. And 12% of Canadian companies last only five years. Any Canadian company that lasts for 60 years is rare — especially in manufacturing.
In the 44 years that I have been with the companies, we have accomplished a great deal and we continue to grow and innovate. I see great opportunities ahead for seasoned, sustainable and innovative companies like ours.
Mike Wilson, P.Eng., CEO
The AIL Group of Companies
