Canam — Canam is a leading Canadian manufacturer of steel building components for non-re

About

Founded in 1960 in Saint-Georges, Quebec, Canam has grown over six decades into one of North America's largest manufacturers of structural steel building components. The company was created to give contractors fast, reliable and cost-effective structural solutions, and that mission still drives its strategy today. On the technical side, Canam operates roughly ten plants outfitted with automated lines for steel joists, steel deck, heavy welded structures and Murox prefabricated buildings. Its in-house engineering team is fluent in BIM modeling, 3D scanning, finite-element structural analysis and multidisciplinary coordination, which shortens site schedules and minimizes interference conflicts between trades. The markets Canam serves include logistics warehouses, distribution centers, schools, hospitals, arenas, multi-family residential buildings, manufacturing plants and infrastructure works such as bridges. This diversity reflects the versatility of its product portfolio and the team's ability to adapt structural solutions to architectural, seismic and budget constraints. Key differentiators include a level of vertical integration that is rare in Canada, integrated engineering consulting, CSA W47.1 welding certification, and a recognized safety culture. For developers, architects and general contractors looking for a structural partner able to take ownership of design, fabrication and delivery, Canam offers a proven combination of engineering depth, industrial capacity and North American proximity.

Products

Poutrelles et fermes (Joists and Trusses)

Canam fabrique une gamme de poutrelles et de fermes en acier qui sont des composants structurels essentiels pour les toits et les planchers. Ces éléments sont conçus pour supporter des charges sur de longues portées dans divers types de bâtiments.

Canam steel joists and trusses are lightweight open-web structural members used to support floors and roofs in non-residential construction. Manufactured from high-strength steels, they span long distances with minimal material, reducing overall structural weight, simplifying foundations and accelerating site erection. The company produces a broad range including K-series (conventional roofs), LH/DLH (long-span) and custom trusses for institutional or industrial buildings. Every profile is engineered to SJI, CSA S16 and IBC standards, and analyzed for the snow, wind and seismic loads specific to each project. Typical applications include warehouses, distribution centers, schools, arenas, retail centers, manufacturing plants and multi-family residential buildings. Native compatibility with Canam steel deck delivers a coherent floor and roof system optimized for installation speed. Benefits for designers and contractors are significant: outstanding strength-to-weight ratio, architectural flexibility from long clear spans with no intermediate columns, just-in-time delivery, integrated shop engineering and technical support throughout design. Automated fabrication across multiple North American plants ensures consistent quality and predictable lead times, helping owners hit aggressive project schedules without compromising structural integrity.

Canam's steel joists and trusses are used in a variety of sectors, including commercial, industrial, institutional, and multi-residential for the construction of roofs and floors.

Yes, Canam offers custom solutions for its joists and trusses to meet the specific load and design requirements of each project.

Tablier métallique (Steel Deck)

Canam produit divers types de tabliers métalliques, incluant des tabliers de toit, de coffrage et composites. Ces profilés en tôle d'acier sont utilisés comme plateforme de travail et comme support permanent pour les membranes de toiture ou le béton des planchers.

Canam steel deck is a cold-formed structural steel platform used as a support for concrete floor slabs, roofs or shear walls. Available in several profiles (roof, composite floor, form deck, wall), it is engineered for the spans, loads and fire ratings required by each project. Manufacturing uses galvanized or prepainted steel processed on high-speed roll-forming lines. Products meet SDI, CSA and UL standards and are compatible with acoustic systems, seismic diaphragms and fire-rated assemblies up to several hours. Steel deck is found in the vast majority of North American commercial, institutional, multi-family residential and industrial buildings: offices, schools, hospitals, hotels, logistics centers and parking structures. Its low weight and high stiffness make it a natural complement to Canam joists and structural members. Benefits include fast on-site placement, fewer site operations, proven compatibility with Canam structural systems, excellent acoustic and seismic performance with the right accessories, and optimized logistics thanks to a North American plant network located close to major construction markets.

Form deck serves as permanent formwork for the concrete, whereas composite deck is designed with embossments to create composite action with the concrete slab, thereby increasing the structural strength of the floor.

Canam has several manufacturing plants in North America, including in Canada, where its steel decks are produced.

Système de bâtiment en acier préfabriqué Murox (Murox Prefabricated Steel Building System)

Murox est un système de bâtiment préfabriqué de Canam qui intègre des panneaux muraux porteurs à la structure d'acier. Cette solution est conçue pour accélérer la construction d'enveloppes de bâtiments, principalement pour les secteurs industriel et commercial.

Murox is the prefabricated steel building system developed by Canam. It combines a structural steel frame, load-bearing prefabricated wall panels and a steel roof into a fully industrialized building solution. Panels are assembled in the plant with insulation, exterior cladding and interior finishes already integrated, dramatically shortening the time required to close in the building on site. The system is engineered for commercial, industrial, institutional and recreational buildings up to multiple stories. It adapts to many architectural styles thanks to a wide choice of claddings (prepainted steel, embossed metal, thin brick, composite panels) and custom modules tailored to thermal, acoustic and aesthetic requirements. Typical applications include auto dealerships, schools, community centers, manufacturing plants, sports facilities and administrative offices. Prefabrication in a controlled environment ensures consistent quality and minimizes material waste on site. Key benefits include shorter construction schedules, a tight and energy-efficient envelope, architectural flexibility, schedule reliability, and a single-source partnership covering design, fabrication and installation by Canam crews or its certified installers — ideal for owners chasing both performance and predictability.

The main advantages of the Murox system are the speed of on-site construction due to factory prefabrication, controlled quality, and better predictability of project costs and timelines.

Structure d'acier lourd (Heavy Steel Structure)

Canam fabrique des composants de structure d'acier lourd pour des projets de grande envergure. Ces éléments, tels que les colonnes et les poutres soudées, forment le squelette principal de bâtiments complexes et d'infrastructures.

Canam Heavy Steel Structure covers the fabrication of beams, columns, bracing and welded assemblies in heavy sections for large industrial, institutional and commercial buildings. Profiles include W-shapes, HSS, plate-girders and custom box sections engineered to carry significant loads. Canam's plants are equipped with robotic cutting lines, automated welding stations certified to CSA W47.1 and dedicated blasting and industrial painting facilities. This integration ensures compliance with the strictest building code requirements and full traceability of every piece from raw material to delivery. Applications cover manufacturing plants, high-bay logistics centers, arenas, convention centers, mining complexes, energy facilities and selected bridge structures. Canam engineers partner with project teams from the preliminary stage to optimize sections, connections and erection sequencing. Benefits include large North American industrial capacity, recognized expertise in complex projects, in-house quality control, logistics tailored to truck or rail shipping and end-to-end ownership of fabrication, painting and erection coordination. Owners and general contractors gain a single accountable partner for the structural backbone of demanding facilities.

Canam supplies heavy steel structures for a variety of large-scale projects, including distribution centers, factories, infrastructure projects like bridges, and complex commercial and institutional buildings.

Services

Conception-construction (Design-Build)

Canam propose un service de conception-construction qui intègre les phases de conception et de construction sous un seul contrat. Cette approche collaborative vise à optimiser l'échéancier et le budget du projet.

Canam's Design-Build service offers developers and owners a single point of accountability for the turnkey delivery of their structural steel project. The team takes integrated responsibility for architectural and structural design, fabrication engineering, manufacturing of components and coordination of on-site installation. The process starts with needs analysis, a feasibility study and preliminary cost estimation. Canam engineers then develop optimized concepts in parallel with mechanical, electrical and architectural disciplines, leveraging BIM and simulation to reduce interference conflicts and anticipate site constraints early. Typical sectors include logistics centers, industrial buildings, schools, community centers, auto dealerships and arenas. The approach is especially valuable when schedules are tight or when the client wants to consolidate accountability with a single partner. Benefits are significant: earlier price certainty, continuous optimization between design and fabrication, fewer change orders, simpler communication, direct access to Canam's structural expertise and industrial capacity, and a measurable acceleration of the overall construction schedule for the owner.

The main advantage is simplified project management with a single point of contact, which leads to better coordination, potential schedule acceleration, and improved cost control.

Expertise BIM et Numérisation 3D (BIM Expertise and 3D Scanning)

Canam offre une expertise en Modélisation des Données du Bâtiment (BIM), utilisant des modèles 3D pour la planification, la conception, la fabrication et la gestion de la construction. Ce service est complété par la numérisation 3D pour une précision accrue.

Canam brings advanced BIM modeling and 3D scanning expertise to the design, fabrication and installation of its structural systems. Teams use Tekla Structures, Revit and interdisciplinary coordination platforms to produce high-precision federated models starting in the earliest project phases. Laser-based 3D scanning is used to survey existing buildings, validate the actual geometry of a site or precisely align new structures with structures already in place. Point clouds are integrated directly into BIM models to detect clashes, optimize member lengths and fabricate right the first time. This service is used in industrial expansions, complex renovations, institutional projects, transportation hubs and new builds where interdisciplinary coordination is critical. It plugs natively into Canam's fabrication and logistics planning. Benefits include a marked reduction in on-site errors, shorter installation times, better cost predictability, smooth information sharing across disciplines and a structural deliverable fully aligned with the architectural and mechanical expectations of the project — protecting both budget and schedule.

BIM helps detect design conflicts and errors before construction, which prevents costly rework on site and optimizes material usage.

Services d'ingénierie (Engineering Services)

Canam fournit des services d'ingénierie spécialisés dans les structures d'acier. Ses équipes d'ingénieurs participent à la conception et à l'optimisation des solutions structurelles pour assurer leur faisabilité et leur efficacité.

Canam Engineering Services bring together a multidisciplinary team of structural engineers, designers and technicians dedicated to optimizing steel solutions. They support every project phase: pre-design, detailed engineering, shop drawings, seismic calculations, erection sequencing and interdisciplinary coordination. Methods include finite-element analysis, code-compliant calculation to CSA S16 and IBC, BIM modeling, validation of welded and bolted connections, and material optimization to reduce weight and cost. The team acts as an extension of the client's structural engineer of record whenever needed. Sectors served cover heavy industrial, commercial, institutional, multi-family residential and infrastructure works. Canam engineers regularly collaborate with consulting firms on complex projects requiring deep structural steel expertise. Benefits include better constructability, controlled costs, lower technical risk, fast turnaround of shop drawings, native compatibility with Canam plants and end-to-end technical support, from first sketch through final on-site delivery — giving project teams a confident path from concept to a built, code-compliant structure.

Yes, Canam's engineering services are designed to work in close collaboration with the client's professionals, including engineers and architects, to optimize the steel structure design.

Industries served

Commercial
Industriel
Institutionnel
Multirésidentiel et résidentiel
Ponts et infrastructure

What sets us apart

Plus de 60 ans d'expérience dans la construction en acier (depuis 1960) / Over 60 years of experience in steel construction (since 1960)
Approche intégrée de la préconstruction à l'installation / Integrated approach from pre-construction to installation
Expertise en Modélisation des Données du Bâtiment (BIM) et numérisation 3D / Expertise in Building Information Modeling (BIM) and 3D scanning
Large gamme de produits incluant poutrelles, tabliers, structures lourdes et systèmes préfabriqués Murox / Wide range of products including joists, decks, heavy structures, and Murox prefabricated systems
Couverture nord-américaine avec des usines au Canada et aux États-Unis / North American coverage with plants in Canada and the United States
Engagement d'entreprise envers le développement durable / Corporate commitment to sustainable development

Frequently asked questions

Canam handles a wide range of projects, including commercial, industrial, institutional, and multi-residential buildings, as well as infrastructure projects like bridges.

Canam is a North American company with manufacturing plants and completed projects across Canada and the United States.

Key products include joists and trusses, steel deck, heavy steel structures, the Hambro composite floor system, and the Murox prefabricated building system.

Sustainable development is a commitment that guides Canam's strategic direction, aiming to contribute to a more environmentally friendly future in collaboration with its partners.

Yes, Canam offers comprehensive expertise including engineering services, design-build, pre-construction, BIM modeling, and project management.

The Canam website has a 'Request a quote' form where you can submit your project details to get a quote.