Engineering Local Solutions, Globally: TAKRAF Group’s Commitment to Canada’s Mining Future

By Aidan Mitchell, President, TAKRAF Canada

In 2025, TAKRAF Group proudly marks its 300th anniversary – a remarkable milestone that speaks to the company’s ability to adapt and innovate in a constantly evolving industry.

From its humble beginnings as a hammer mill in 1725 Lauchhammer, Germany, to a leading global provider of mining, material handling, and minerals processing solutions, the Group’s success lies in its deep engineering expertise, forward-thinking approach, and commitment to regional responsiveness.

Headquartered in Leipzig, Germany, TAKRAF Group has established offices around the world that operate with local agility backed by global experience. In Canada, that model is thriving.

Canada: A microcosm of global operations

TAKRAF Group’s entry into the Canadian market began in 2006 with a Calgary office focused on the oil sands. Rapid success demonstrated the adaptability of our engineering solutions in extreme operating conditions. Since then, TAKRAF Canada has expanded into other commodities and established a presence in Vancouver and, more recently, in Montreal.

Our Canadian operations have delivered a broad range of high-impact installations – from semi-mobile crushing plants to liquid/solid separation equipment and unloading systems. A standout example is our flagship railcar dumper project at the Port of Vancouver in British Columbia. Delivered for a Tier-1 client, the project highlights our ability to engineer and integrate complex systems into live operational environments without disruption.

Scaling smart in a dynamic market

Canada’s mining market demands agility. Large enough to manage major capital projects, yet lean enough to respond quickly, TAKRAF Canada operates as the local front- and back-end of a globally networked organization. While core equipment is often designed by the headquarters and manufactured by sister companies abroad, project execution, commissioning and client relations are handled locally.

To adapt to cyclical market conditions and labor fluctuations, we flexibly scale through partnerships with TAKRAF Group’s global design hubs and trusted subcontractors. This model allows us to maintain high performance without compromising project timelines or cost-effectiveness.

Aftermarket services: Supporting clients for the long haul

As capital expenditure across the industry tightens, miners are increasingly focused on maximizing the value and availability of their existing assets. TAKRAF Canada has responded by expanding its aftermarket services to support both its own equipment and systems by legacy OEMs that are no longer in the market. These services include:

• Maintenance
• Spare parts supply and on-site repairs
• Equipment relocations, retrofits and refurbishments

This tailored approach helps clients extend equipment life, improve performance and reduce downtime – without the need for major capital investments.

One example is the successful relocation of the first TAKRAF semi-mobile crushing station sold in Canada. Despite inclement weather and labour strikes, the 850-ton unit was moved and recommissioned within a 16-day shutdown window – underscoring our ability to execute under pressure.

Another notable project was a chute redesign for a radial ship loader. The upgrade reduced machine downtime by 80 per cent, with performance now sustained at material surges above 3,600 t/h.

These examples reflect our core philosophy: delivering value not only through project delivery but throughout the full lifecycle of equipment.

A future built on history

TAKRAF Group’s legacy is rich with innovation – from the world’s largest overburden conveyor bridges to high-pressure grinding rolls and Dry-Stack Tailings (DST) systems. In Canada, we’re carrying that legacy forward, not just by building new infrastructure, but by helping our clients future-proof their operations.

As TAKRAF Group celebrates 300 years of technological evolution, our commitment to Canada’s mining sector remains stronger than ever. Whether it’s an investment-intensive project or a crucial aftermarket retrofit, it pays to talk to a specialist.