The Meaning of Michels
Michels is a proud, family owned and operated company, both factually and philosophically. We are guided by core values and committed to principles developed by the Michels family since 1959. We believe in providing solutions and continuously improving the quality and scope of our work. We care about our people, customers, and communities where we live and work.
We move ahead with passion and drive to separate ourselves from our competitors. With each passing year, we pursue new and more ways to build and maintain the world’s infrastructure. We tackle the largest projects and have the experience, structure, stability, and grit to deliver safe, reliable results. Building the way to a better future? We Do That … & More.
Vision
To exceed our customers’ expectations by continually setting the global standard for quality, safety, and environmental stewardship in utility and infrastructure construction.
Mission
To be the foremost provider of innovative construction solutions and value for our clients in their mission to serve the growing utility and infrastructure requirements of their customers around the world.
Core Values
Core Values in Action
History
And so it began …
In the late 1950s, pipeline welder Dale Michels had the vision to start his own business. He reached out to his brother-in-law, Ted Koenigs, and Ted’s business partner, Jim Michel. Michels Pipeline Construction Inc. was established in 1959.
Guided by Dale’s entrepreneurial spirit, Michels overcame considerable obstacles in its infancy by focusing on future opportunities. Inspired by founders Dale and Ruth, their sons lead a company where innovation is an expectation, not an exception.
A story of dedication
Soon after Michels was established, a sideboom fell onto Dale Michels, crushing his hip. With Dale in the hospital and the company’s future in peril, most crew members planned to leave. But Jerry (known as “Employee Number 1”), stepped up, convinced them to stay, and ran day-to-day operations in the field. By night, Jerry visited Dale in the hospital, discussing strategy for the next day. The pattern continued for a year as Dale recovered.
A base for innovation
In 1963, Dale Michels purchased the Brownsville, WI canning factory where he worked while in high school. It became Michels’ home base; the expansive yard was Dale Michels’ workplace and playground.
Few people will ever know exactly what happens inside the Brownsville yard, but all agree it is extraordinary. Mechanics and technicians design, build, modify, and maintain our equipment and vehicular fleet. Innovation emanates from each of the dozens of shops. Over the years, the yard behind Michels’ headquarters has grown into the home base of one of the largest fleets of construction equipment and trucks in North America.
Our History
For over 25 years, Michels Canada has built a reputation for creating safe, specialized energy and infrastructure construction solutions focused on Canada’s future.
1997
Michels Directional Crossings Co. (later to be known as Michels Canada) is founded in Airdrie, AB.
2004
Michels Canada establishes its new headquarters in Nisku, AB.
2008
Michels Canada adds Cured-in-Place (CIPP) pipe as a service.
2013
Canada's first project using Direct Pipe installation is used for Beaver River Crossing.
2015
A record diameter (42-inch) pipeline project is performed in 2,195-metre crossing under the Athabasca River in Alberta.
2016
The Michels Canada Headquarters in Nisku is expanded. Geopolymer Rehabilitation is added as a service solution for large diameter tunnels and culverts.
2021
A new office location is opened in Vancouver, BC. Awarded Best Health & Safety Culture Award from WSIB.
2022
Michels Canada celebrates 25th Anniversary. Toronto, ON office is expanded.
International Leaders
Even as Michels’ capabilities have strategically expanded to meet the evolving needs of the many industries we serve, we have expanded geographically to bring our world-class solutions beyond U.S. borders.
In 1995, Michels left the Western Hemisphere for the first time to complete a horizontal directional drilling (HDD) project in Guam. Operations in Jamaica, Israel, and Trinidad and Tobago quickly followed.
Michels Canada was established in 1997 to meet that country’s demands for a full-service energy and infrastructure contractor. With two additional international companies added to support Michels in 2022, we now have more than 50 offices worldwide and operations in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, Australia and the Asia Pacific region.
While much has changed at Michels over the years, our core values and willingness to seek out new opportunities have not—wherever we are in the world.
Focused on the future
Since 1998, brothers Pat, Tim, and Kevin Michels have guided Michels from a $158 million company into an international powerhouse with revenues in the billions. Our inspirational story doesn’t end here. Committed to remaining family owned and operated, our legacy will continue to the third generation and for decades to come.