Nova Scotia's Mobile Valve Secures $8.9-Million Contract for River-Class Destroyers
Family-owned Mobile Valve has won an $8.9-million contract from Irving Shipbuilding to supply specialized components for Canada's River-class destroyers, bringing its total contracts for the first three ship sets past $16.5 million and tripling its workforce.
Mobile Valve, a family-owned company founded in Mount Uniacke, Nova Scotia, in 1969, has been awarded an $8.9-million contract by Irving Shipbuilding to support the construction of Canada’s future River-class destroyer fleet for the Royal Canadian Navy. 
The contract involves sourcing specialized valve products for critical systems aboard the new ships, including firefighting equipment and aircraft tie-down systems. Combined with previous work, the total value of Mobile Valve’s contracts for the first three River-class ship sets now exceeds $16.5 million.
The growing relationship with Irving Shipbuilding has driven significant expansion at the company. Mobile Valve has tripled its workforce from 10 to 30 employees. About half of those 30 employees now support Irving Shipbuilding programs. Ten positions have been created directly through this relationship, spanning procurement, warehousing, logistics, quality assurance, and shop operations. The business growth has also caused the company to outgrow its Mount Uniacke facility.
Mobile Valve initially became involved with the Department of National Defence through work on Victoria-class submarines and later supported Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS). The company has since diversified its capabilities beyond industrial valve maintenance into naval defense supply chains, expanding its supplier network internationally while prioritizing local Canadian procurement. 
Other Nova Scotia companies are also benefiting from the National Shipbuilding Strategy, which has awarded more than $5.38 billion in contracts and investments to businesses in the province. LamSar Inc., based in Pictou County, was awarded a $34.6-million contract to support the construction of the River-class destroyers by supplying prefabricated pipe spools and custom pipe supports. Chester-based Hawboldt Industries supplies custom-engineered marine deck equipment and heavy cranes for Irving Shipbuilding.