Tulmar Safety Systems CEO leads management buyout of Hawkesbury-based company

Joseph Coppolino

January 29, 2025

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Hawkesbury-based Tulmar Safety Systems, a manufacturer of protective solutions for defence, aviation and civil security, has undergone a management buyout led by CEO Patrick Tallon. The transaction, completed in December 2024, is part of a plan to ensure the company remains headquartered in Hawkesbury while focusing on sustainable growth. “Selling to a third party with short-term goals could have jeopardized our long-term success,” Tallon said, explaining that the buyout was critical to safeguarding the company’s future. “This approach allows us to maintain control, prioritize our community, and grow in a way that aligns with our values.” The buyout team includes Ryan McCormick (finance), Benoit Corbeil (engineering), and Lori Morris (operations), alongside Tallon. According to the company, the leadership team’s combined experience was a decisive factor in the transition. Founded in 1992, Tulmar employs just over 100 people and operates four locations, with its primary manufacturing plant based in Hawkesbury. The company specializes in products for military, aviation and civil safety, serving major clients such as the Canadian Armed Forces, General Dynamics and Air Canada. Tulmar also provides safety and training equipment to over 160 airlines worldwide and has manufactured more than 40,000 tactical life jackets for the Canadian Navy over the past two decades. According to Tallon, the company’s ability to design, manufacture and service products locally has been central to its success. “The bulk of our revenue comes from products made right here in Hawkesbury,” he said. The location has also been central to Tulmar’s success, close to Montreal, Ottawa and the U.S. border. “Our location gives us a logistical advantage,” Tallon said, citing the ability to manage supply chains and attract talent from larger cities. He also emphasized that this proximity helps Tulmar remain competitive globally. Tallon views the buyout as critical not just for the company, but the local defence industry as well. “This region has a history of manufacturing in defence and aerospace,” he said. “Keeping Tulmar’s operations local contributes to the stability and growth of the sector here in Eastern Ontario.” The company is planning to expand its operations by developing new products and considering acquisitions. Tallon mentioned potential international manufacturing facilities in the United States or Europe, but confirmed that Tulmar’s main operations would remain in Hawkesbury. “This is where our roots are,” he said. “Our core operations and engineering will stay here.”

Labour shortages an issue

Tulmar, like many manufacturers, faces issues such as labour shortages and housing affordability that could impact its ability to attract talent, Tallon said. “Affordable housing is a pressing concern,” he said, noting that addressing this issue is essential to sustaining the workforce needed in the region. Tallon would also like to see a greater effort made to make manufacturing careers more appealing to younger workers, highlighting the importance of education and outreach. He also pointed to the region’s skilled workforce and established manufacturing base as reasons for confidence. “The region has the resources to remain a key player in defence and aerospace,” he said. Tallon’s career began in high-tech industries, including an executive role at Xerox. After leaving that role in 2018, he sought an opportunity to apply his leadership skills in a new industry while also pursuing a chance at ownership. “I was looking for a business where I could make a long-term impact,” he said. “When I learned about Tulmar, it felt like the right fit.” In 2019, he joined Tulmar as part of a succession plan initiated by former owner Barney Bangs. As part of the agreement, Tallon relocated to Eastern Ontario, settling in the rural community of L’Orignal, near Hawkesbury. This move was a deliberate choice, aligning with Bangs’s insistence that the company’s leadership live in the region to foster a strong connection to the community and workforce. “I grew up in the Ottawa Valley, so this felt like coming home,” Tallon said. “I was tired of the congestion and pace of downtown Toronto. Hawkesbury offered a chance to build something meaningful in a place where I felt connected.” Tallon believes his integration into the community has been key to his leadership. “I’m not just running a business here; I’m part of this region,” he said.