Vard Marine Inc. (VARD), a Fincantieri company, is excited to share that Fibreglass Solutions Inc. (FSI) has been selected as a preferred supplier for Team Vigilance. This strategic partnership with preferred suppliers will enable Team Vigilance to deliver a naval solution crafted to meet the Royal Canadian Navy's (RCN) future fleet needs.
VIGILANCE will not only fulfill all the roles of the existing MCDV, but it will also enhance naval warfare capabilities beyond the current limitations of both the MCDV and the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessels. By combining advanced capabilities with cost efficiency, VIGILANCE also preserves the life-cycle cost advantages for which VARD’s naval designs are known for.
Team Vigilance’s mission is to provide a world-class naval solution that is designed in Canada, built in Canada, and equipped in Canada, utilizing leading Canadian industrial partners. In conjunction with partners from Thales Canada, Ontario Shipyards, SH Defence and Fincantieri, Team Vigilance aims to supply the RCN with a versatile military asset that is capable, globally deployable and ready to tackle future naval challenges.
Fibreglass Solutions Inc. Joins Team Vigilance as a Preferred Supplier
A 100% Canadian-owned company based in Woodstock, Ontario, FSI has been delivering glass-reinforced epoxy (GRE) piping and structural solutions for naval applications since the mid-1990s. With extensive experience supporting allied fleets and working alongside Canadian shipyards, FSI offers an advanced, proven alternative to traditional piping systems. FSI is the Canadian distributor for NOV Fiber Glass Systems’ Bondstrand™ and MARRS™ marine and naval products.
GRE piping offers significant performance and operational benefits over conventional galvanized steel or copper-nickel systems. Notably, GRE piping weighs between half and one-fifth as much as its metallic counterparts, giving ship designers greater flexibility to reduce vessel displacement or increase payload, storage, or fuel capacity without compromising platform performance. This weight advantage also simplifies structural support requirements, reduces fuel consumption, and improves vessel stability—particularly for components mounted above the waterline.
FSI’s GRE systems are also highly resistant to corrosion, erosion, and scale buildup—eliminating the need for coatings, sacrificial anodes, or anti-fouling treatments—while also improving flow efficiency and reducing pump power requirements. The smooth internal surface of the pipe remains unchanged over decades of service, supporting system longevity and performance. These characteristics, combined with outstanding thermal insulation properties and sound attenuation, result in quieter, more energy-efficient vessels with significantly reduced lifecycle maintenance demands.
FSI’s products are shock, vibration, and ballistic qualified, and rated for full vacuum at elevated temperatures. The company supports its customers from early design and engineering through fabrication, installation, and in-service support. With in-house mechanical engineering services—including finite element analysis, hydraulic modelling, and structural detailing—FSI works closely with naval architects and shipyards to integrate GRE systems from the earliest stages of platform development.
Derek Buxton, Vice President of Business Development at Vard Marine Inc., stated, “GRE piping systems offer a compelling combination of performance, reliability, and cost efficiency—making them a strong fit for the VIGILANCE platform. FSI brings not only cutting-edge technology but also a deep understanding of naval applications and Canadian shipbuilding. We’re pleased to welcome them to Team Vigilance.”
David Harding, President at Fibreglass Solutions Inc., added, “We are honoured to be selected as a Preferred Supplier. Supporting the Royal Canadian Navy with Canadian-made solutions has always been a core focus of our business. We look forward to contributing to the success of the VIGILANCE program with our GRE technology, which offers unmatched durability and long-term value for naval platforms.”
As part of its ongoing efforts, Team Vigilance continues to expand its coalition of Canadian industry partners, ensuring that VIGILANCE will be designed, built and equipped in Canada. The team is committed to fostering strong domestic capabilities and supporting Canadian innovation.