Kinectrics’ origins can be traced to 1912 as the technical and research division of Ontario Hydro, a major Canadian electrical utility founded on hydroelectric power, which eventually grew at one point into the largest electrical utility in North America—covering generation from nuclear, fossil, hydroelectric, and renewable sources, as well as transmission and distribution.

From its one-workshop beginnings as Ontario Hydro Research Division (OHRD), Kinectrics has focused on the development and application of advanced technologies for the power industry.

In the 1990s, provincial policy resulted in the demerger and re-organization of Ontario Hydro into a number of companies. OHRD was also re-organized, first as Ontario Hydro Technologies (OHT), and eventually Ontario Power Technologies (OPT), under the demerged generation company, Ontario Power Generation (OPG).

Independence

Kinectrics was spun-off as a private consulting corporation in 2000, under AEA Technology plc as its new owners, before being sold in 2006 to a private equity fund, managed by Vision Capital of the UK. In January 2015, Kinectrics was purchased by a group comprised of its executive management shareholders led by David Harris.

In recent years Kinectrics has doubled its revenue grown its staff to pre-demerger levels. Part of the Kinectrics growth strategy includes commercialization of its valuable intellectual property.

Growth

In 2009, Kinectrics acquired Candesco Corporation of Toronto, Ontario. This initiative greatly expanded Kinectrics’ expertise in nuclear regulatory and licensing consulting, safety assessment, radiation and environmental protection, and operational safety support.

In 2010, Kinectrics opened a new branch office in Pickering, Ontario to enhance and expedite qualified technical support for Ontario's existing and future nuclear generation infrastructure in the Pickering and Darlington areas.

In mid-2010, a new facility in Cincinnati, Ohio, was opened by Kinectrics in support of its Kinectrics US subsidiary, reflecting the company’s continuing investment in providing superior technical support throughout North America to maintain nuclear power as a clean, reliable source of energy. The Cincinnati facility oversees and manages equipment qualification and commercial grade dedication programs in the United States, and facilitates access to Kinectrics’ array of engineering and testing solutions.

Future

Kinectrics is a former utility laboratory that has achieved commercial success as an independent testing, inspection, certification and consulting company.