Kelson & Kelson Industrial Group
Building a Legacy of Innovation and Environmental Responsibility
Kelson & Kelson Industrial Group has been a trusted name in coatings since 1964, evolving from a small family business serving the Saint John region into a leading national industrial services provider. Today, the company specializes in advanced industrial coatings and corrosion protection solutions for large-scale clients in sectors such as oil and gas, mining, petrochemical, marine, forestry, and heavy civil infrastructure.
As Kelson & Kelson grew, so did its environmental footprint. Recognizing the need for change, the company made sustainability a core priority. The vision for its new blast and spray facility, which is set to open in winter of 2026, is to enhance productivity while dramatically reducing carbon emissions. The energy‑efficient, environmentally responsible facility will incorporate all-electric systems for dust collection, air filtration and compressed air, eliminating over 200,000 litres of diesel annually. High-performance insulation and radiant in-floor heating will improve energy efficiency, while natural gas curing systems will replace diesel-fired heating. The facility will also recycle solvents on-site by capturing, filtering and reusing them, reducing hazardous waste and keeping thousands of gallons out of landfills. The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) has played a pivotal role in supporting the facility upgrades, which will enhance operational efficiency, meet evolving client expectations, and signal a clear commitment to responsible growth.
"ACOA’s involvement gave us both the confidence and financial ability to accelerate the development of an environmentally forward-thinking facility,” said Mackenzie Kelson, Vice President of Kelson & Kelson Industrial Group. “Their partnership reinforced our commitment to pursuing innovative, energy-efficient infrastructure, and allowed us to take meaningful steps toward reducing our carbon footprint while maintaining the highest standards of industrial operations.”
By investing in sustainability, Kelson & Kelson strengthens its position as an industry leader, building a strong foundation to serve clients with excellence for years to come.
ACOA is empowering Atlantic Canadian businesses to adopt clean technologies and processes by providing information, pathfinding, and funding programs to help with their clean transition. Going clean keeps businesses competitive in growing markets as we move toward a global net-zero economy. With planning and guidance, businesses can take meaningful steps toward sustainability, delivering benefits for both the environment and their bottom line.
If your small business is ready to accelerate its journey to clean growth, reduce costs, create jobs and unlock new markets, call ACOA at 1-800-561-7862 or visit Helping with your green transition.