ABB Forms First Indigenous Channel Partner Collaboration in Canada with LaFlesche
May 21, 2026
ABB Forms First Indigenous Channel Partner Collaboration in Canada with LaFlesche
- Agreement with LaFlesche, an advanced manufacturing firm based in the Kahnawà:ke community, represents ABB’s first Indigenous channel partnership in Canada
- Partnership expands access to ABB’s automation, electrification and digitalization solutions for sectors such as infrastructure and manufacturing
- Collaboration supports Indigenous economic participation in critical infrastructure and contributes to building resilient local-for-local supply chains
ABB has entered into its first Indigenous channel partner collaboration in Canada with LaFlesche, an Indigenous‑owned advanced manufacturing, machining and rapid prototyping firm based in the Kahnawà:ke community in Quebec. The partnership will complement LaFlesche’s core offerings while strengthening ABB’s network of authorized third-party vendors by expanding access to its automation, electrification and digital solutions through an Indigenous distribution partner serving the critical industrial sectors across Canada.
Under the partnership, LaFlesche becomes an authorized ABB channel partner, building on trusted customer relationships and deep technical expertise to deliver select ABB solutions and services to both public‑ and private‑sector clients. The collaboration will help ABB’s customers reduce dependence on offshore supply chains and help ensure that mission-critical systems continue operating at peak performance throughout their full lifecycle.
“At LaFlesche, we have spent years earning the trust of some of Canada’s most important clients in critical operations by delivering precision, reliability and results when it matters most,” said Thawennontie Thomas, President of LaFlesche. “Partnering with ABB gives our clients access to globally proven automation and electrification technology, backed by a team that understands the operational realities of their environments. This is not just a business partnership – it is a commitment to building Indigenous capacity at the highest levels of Canada’s critical infrastructure, and to ensuring that Indigenous businesses are not bystanders in that work, but trusted partners of it.”
The partnership supports ABB Canada’s broader channel partner and sustainability strategies by supporting Indigenous economic participation while enabling customers to modernize operations, improve resilience and meet complex operational requirements. By working with an Indigenous‑owned partner, ABB is also strengthening its ability to deliver local-for-local solutions.
“By partnering with an Indigenous‑owned channel partner that brings strong technical capability and credibility in critical industries, we are expanding our ability to serve customers while supporting inclusive economic growth,” said Ben C. Venter, Vice President, ABB’s Energy Industries division in Canada. “This collaboration with LaFlesche reflects ABB’s commitment to building resilient supply chains and trusted partnerships that deliver value for our customers and communities alike. It is also about meaningful education and skills development, and Indigenous participation across the full lifecycle of Canada’s infrastructure.”
Canada’s Indigenous industry policy focuses on economic reconciliation, aimed at increasing Indigenous participation in the economy through a federal procurement target, supporting Indigenous-owned businesses and fostering partnerships in sectors[1].
[1] https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1100100032802/1610723869356
ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By connecting its engineering and digitalization expertise, ABB helps industries run at high performance, while becoming more efficient, productive and sustainable so they outperform. At ABB, they call this ‘Engineered to Outrun’. The company has over 140 years of history and around 110,000 employees worldwide. ABB’s shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB). www.abb.com
ABB’s Automation business automates, electrifies and digitalizes industrial operations that address a wide range of essential needs – from supplying energy, water and materials, to producing goods and transporting them to market. With its ~26,000 employees, leading technology and service expertise, Automation helps process, hybrid and maritime industries outrun – leaner and cleaner. go.abb/automation
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