About Zoongan
Zoongan Industrial is a new venture that specializes in custom metal manufacturing and value-add services for the Canadian Defense and Power industries. The company was formed in 2023 by entrepreneurs from across Canada that have a shared commitment to reconciliation through new business partnerships and building indigenous workforces.
Die-Max
Founded in 1994, Die-Max Tool and Die Ltd. is a leading precision tool and die manufacturer. Die-Max excels in custom solutions for diverse industries. Die-Max’s state-of-the-art facilities and expert team ensure top-quality, precise products.
Zoongan Founders
Lauchlin MacInnes
Lauchlin MacInnes is a member of Wahta Mohawks. He has a background in corporate law specializing in helping First Nation businesses with manufacturing and mining. Since leaving the practice of law he has focused on a variety of businesses including property development, distribution, and various enterprises in the energy sector. Lauchlin believes in providing quality products meeting rigorous specifications on time and on budget. Building a business that can compete nationally and internationally with Indigenous ownership will be Lauchlin’s legacy.
David Rivett
David has +20 years of experience in the automotive metallics manufacturing sector with a focus on tooling, metal stamping and sub-assembly welding and has been instrumental in the growth of the Die-Max Group from a single tool shop to three manufacturing facilities across Canada and US. David has held various manufacturing, operational and leadership roles at Die-Max across a range of functions, including: tooling design and manufacture, press operations and manufacturing systems, sub-assembly MIG and resistance welding, sales and engineering management and implementation, ERP development and operations, business development and capital budgeting and execution. David is a graduate of the University of Toronto.
Paul Rivett
Paul Rivett is the President of Tevir Capital Corp, a Canadian wealth management firm he founded. Mr. Rivett previously served as the Chair of Torstar and before that he served as the President of Fairfax Financial, a global insurance holdings and value investing company, where he worked for nearly two decades. Mr. Rivett currently serves as Chairman of the boards of GreenFirst Forest Products and Chorus Aviation. He also sits on the Board of Boreal Carbon, a forest-based carbon credit company along with being an advisory board member for NHLCA (National Hockey League Coaches Association) Mr. Rivett previously served as Chair of Recipe Unlimited, Canada’s leading restaurant company, and VerticalScope. He has previously been a member of a number of notable boards, including Fairfax Africa, PEAK Athletics (Bauer & Easton Sports), TeamSnap, Golf Town & Sporting Life, Dexterra, Arctic Gateway Group, AGT Foods, MEGA Brands, Resolute Forest Products, Blue Ant Media, Canadian Press, Northstar Gaming and The Brick. Mr. Rivett holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of Toronto, a Master’s Degree in Industrial Relations from Queen’s University, and a Law Degree from Queen’s University. He is also a Canadian Securities Registered Portfolio Manager.
Sean Willy
Sean Willy is President and CEO of Des Nedhe Development, the economic development entity for English River First Nation, a role he has held since 2017. Prior to this role, Sean was Vice-President of Des Nedhe Development. Sean was also previously the Director of Corporate Responsibility for Cameco Corporation, a publicly traded uranium producer. Sean is an experienced business executive with a 25-year history of creating, developing and leading inclusive practices in the resource sector and building opportunities with Indigenous communities, and has developed and implemented progressive and innovative Indigenous inclusion and corporate social responsibility strategies for two leading resource companies, Rio Tinto and Cameco Corporation. Sean has always worked to ensure Indigenous Peoples are seen as full partners in long-term relationships, which has led to him building partnerships internationally and throughout Canada.
Sean is a member of the Canadian Government’s Indigenous Innovation Housing Committee. Sean has also held previous positions serving as Chair of the Mining Association of Canada’s Indigenous Affairs Committee, Co-Chair of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, Chair of the successful Northern Career Quest and a board member of Indigenous Works.
Sean holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the Edwards School of Business of the University of Saskatchewan.
Employment Opportunities
At Zoongan we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We passionately believe inclusive companies make for more innovative companies.
More information coming soon.
