FUTURE

We are the Stewart Group, a 5th generation, family-run, global manufacturing company running multiple businesses in water-blocking gels and greases supporting the fibreoptic, telecom, energy and structural cable industries; biotech based odour-mitigating technologies for the flooring, footwear, footcare and apparel sectors; and innovative plant-based polymers that are revolutionising the plastics industry with limitless applications.

What began in 1896 as a sales agency for textile manufacturing, evolved over the years into a diversified holding company with an unrelenting focus on innovation. We have facilities in 6 countries, and more than 95% of our markets are international, partnering with some of the largest global companies within the industries we serve.

Today what really lights our fire is driving the next generation of enduring, sustainable products, our participation in the next wave of broadband, cellular and energy infrastructure, and supporting sustainability projects that align with our values. Our technical patented eco foams – used by companies like Vans, Timberland and Keen – are up to 80% plant based. Through our innovations, partners and products, we have avoided almost 1,000,000 kg of CO2 since 2020 as-compared-with the use of traditional petroleum-based ingredients to manufacture EVA and polyurethane foams; the equivalent of planting 97,000 trees. Our water-blocking solutions protect fibreoptic cables used for broadband and cellular communications and submarine energy cables that are a vital part of global connectivity. We continue to develop new products in this space to lead our industry.

While much has changed, from the markets we’ve serviced to the products we’ve developed, what hasn’t changed is our belief in innovation, giving customers exceptional service, and taking care of our employees. We are based in Markham, Ontario, and are 100% Canadian owned and operated.

Global Team

HISTORY

1890’s – 1950’s:
Consulting & Sales Agency

Founded in 1896 as Wm. B. Stewart & Sons in Toronto, Ontario, the company started as a consulting & sales agency. Representing major North American and European textile companies, we introduced Canadians to yarns, fabrics and films such as Rayon, Nylon, Cellophane, Mylar from numerous companies like DuPont (USA), Comptoire Textiles (France) and Marks & Spencer (UK). Our reach into the Canadian market ultimately led us to manufacture products ourselves, with acquisitions & partnerships f. . .
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1940’s – 2010’s:
Manufacturing Flooring, Home
Furnishings, Footcare & Telecom

As our expertise and operations grew through our Dominion Silk Mills manufacturing subsidiary, we expanded beyond the traditional yarns and fabrics market into the telecommunication cables sector. Our new subsidiaries Engineered Yarns of Canada and Engineered Yarns America (Fall Rivers, MA) produced reinforcing yarns, binders, ripcords, and tapes. These were first supplied for copper cables and consumer packaging in the 1940’s, and then for the nascent fibreoptic cables in the early 198. . .
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As our expertise and operations grew through our Dominion Silk Mills manufacturing subsidiary, we expanded beyond the traditional yarns and fabrics market into the telecommunication cables sector. Our new subsidiaries Engineered Yarns of Canada and Engineered Yarns America (Fall Rivers, MA) produced reinforcing yarns, binders, ripcords, and tapes. These were first supplied for copper cables and consumer packaging in the 1940’s, and then for the nascent fibreoptic cables in the early 1980’s. During the 1980’s, the company perfected the technology of UV-cured fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) rods used at the heart of fibreoptic cables - a revolutionary advancement from the traditional heat-cured products, bringing high-speed manufacturing and superior technical performance to the global industry.

In the 1950’s, the company started Fabricushon utilising a newly developed process of pouring latex foam rubber onto a variety of fabrics to manufacture shoe insoles, carpet cushion, carpet backing, home furnishings and acoustical underlayment. What started out as solely a Canadian business soon grew into a global business with >80% of its products exported beyond our borders.

As our various businesses continued to expand, we built a new 100,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Markham, Ontario in the 1970’s and moved all our Ontario manufacturing locations of Domstrand, Fabricushon and Engineered Yarns into a single location. In the 1980’s, The Stewart Group Limited was incorporated under the new ownership of William (Bill) Morris, great grandson of the company’s founder, with subsidiaries The Stewart Group Inc. (an amalgamation of Domstrand, Engineered Yarns of Canada and Engineered Yarns America) and Fabricushon Limited. In the 1990’s, the coated and laminated tapes business located in Winnipeg MB was sold to Chase Corporation (Massachusetts) and the coated yarns and FRP businesses were sold to Owens Corning (Ohio).

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2000’s – Present:
Biotech, Yoga/Wellness

Leveraging the technologies and deep customer relationships nurtured over decades of business at Fabricushon (renamed Fabricushion in the 1990’s), The Stewart Group incorporated Life Science Technology Group in Barbados to develop and patent a novel odour-controlling technology using probiotics as a pre-treatment on fabrics and other substrates. Starting with the flooring industry, our technology was used to pre-treat carpets and carpet cushions that naturally eliminated odour caused by. . .
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2000’s – Present:
Water-Blocking
Technologies & Renewables

Now into our second century, our storied history continues to lead us into new markets and opportunities. In the early 2000’s The Stewart Group started two new manufacturing companies in the USA to support the reinforcement and protection of telecom and energy cables, the medical industry and consumer products.

Stewart Superabsorbents (SSA) in North Carolina processes superabsorbent polymers used to block water ingress into cable infrastructure used in telecom, oil & gas, and ene. . .
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Now into our second century, our storied history continues to lead us into new markets and opportunities. In the early 2000’s The Stewart Group started two new manufacturing companies in the USA to support the reinforcement and protection of telecom and energy cables, the medical industry and consumer products.

Stewart Superabsorbents (SSA) in North Carolina processes superabsorbent polymers used to block water ingress into cable infrastructure used in telecom, oil & gas, and energy. Our specialized superabsorbents are also used in pet care products, environmental cleanup and during surgery in hospitals to safely contain body fluids and biomedical waste. In the 2010’s, SSA partnered with Quint Barefoot and his company Zappa-Tec to capitalize on new market opportunities and joint global reach under the new company Zappa-Stewart. The success of Zappa-Stewart made it a very attractive acquisition target and it was ultimately sold to Chase Corporation in late 2017.

Info-Gel (Charlotte NC) got its start as a toll-manufacturer and sales agent of thixotropic gel for the Huber Group (Germany) and The Stewart Group together with Quint Barefoot subsequently purchased the business outright. Our gels are primarily used in the protection of fiberoptic cables and are incorporated into products made by all the largest manufacturers around the world. In the late 2000’s, Info-Gel built a new gel-manufacturing facility in India to better service growth in that part of the world. Today, Info-Gel has a broad offering of specialised thixotropic gels, greases and other products used in the protection of fibreoptic and structural cables around the globe.

Continuing the path towards more sustainable solutions started by CleanSport NXT, The Stewart Group partnered with Jason Robinson, a scientist and Engineer who brings knowledge and expertise in biological alternatives to many of the chemicals used in plastics. Together, we started Evoco Ltd. in 2018 that includes CleanSport NXT and a new innovative patented signature technology FATES; an environmentally-friendly eco-foam comprising plant-based materials for sustainable production and biodegradable end-of-life. FATES and CleanSport NXT can be found on consumer products by responsible brands such as Keen, Merrell, Timberline and Puma to name just a few.

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DIVISIONS

Our three core businesses today are Evoco, Info-Gel and Stewart Ventures. Evoco is becoming an important player in the drive to implement real change by developing low carbon alternatives to replace the ubiquitous petroleum-based materials. Info-Gel is the premier global manufacturer of thixotropic gels for fibreoptic cables used for broadband, telecom, energy, oil & gas exploration, submarine and structural applications. Stewart Ventures is focused on strategic investments that support our businesses, supplemented with activities as part of the Angel Investment community supporting innovative entrepreneurs and start-ups. Taken together, our companies produce a staggering array of products for a truly global market. Offices are located in Markham, Ontario with facilities stretching across North America, Europe, and Asia.

Incorporated in 2018, Evoco’s mission is to close the loop on unsustainable goods, for good.

The company develops plant-based chemistries offering low carbon alternatives to replace the ubiquitous petroleum-based materials. Starting with the footwear industry, FATES®, its patented high-performance eco-foam solution, is used by global brands such as Vans, Kodiak, Keen, Bared and Timberland.

With over 15+ patents, Evoco continues to innovate to commercialise new material technology and is set to disrupt several consumer goods industries.

Visit Evoco

Info-Gel is the world's premier manufacturer of gels for fibreoptics applications. Our products can survive the hardiest environments. We've been supplying the telecom, energy, oil and gas, and construction industries for over 40 years.

Visit Info-Gel

STEWART
VENTURES

Stewart Ventures is the venture capital arm of The Stewart Group. Over the years, Stewart Ventures has financially supported the growth of The Stewart Group businesses and has made a series of strategic investments and acquisitions in green technology, patents, and manufacturing. This allows us to serve our in-house portfolio of companies as well as investigate new markets, offer seed/venture funding, and provide access to our extensive management and technical expertise.

CONTACT US

MANAGEMENT

Directors:

Bill Morris, David Kidd, Andrew Wilkes, Janet Lafortune

Officers:

Bill Morris: Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

Phil Chow: President & Chief Operating Officer

Heather McGarry: Treasurer

HISTORY

1890’s – 1950’s:Consulting & Sales Agency

1940’s – 2010’s:Manufacturing Flooring, HomeFurnishings, Footcare & Telecom

2000’s – Present: Biotech, Yoga/Wellness

2000’s – Present: Water-Blocking Technologies & Renewables