Mattr
Mattr is the successor brand of Shawcor, a Canadian materials technology company serving infrastructure, energy, industrial, and related markets.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Mattr is the corporate identity adopted by Shawcor Ltd., a Canadian materials technology company headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. The business developed from a construction company founded by Francis Shaw in rural Lambton County and expanded over time into engineered materials, pipeline services, cable-related products, and other industrial technologies. Its historical development is closely associated with the Shaw family, which also controlled the western Canadian cable business that became Shaw Communications. The company’s roots lie in construction and infrastructure work, but its business broadened substantially as it entered pipeline coatings, cable television-related activities, and other specialized industrial fields. During the 1970s, Francis Shaw’s business interests were divided between his sons Leslie Shaw and J. R. Shaw. Leslie received the pipeline-services operation, which became Shawcor, while J. R. Shaw received the western cable operation that developed into Shaw Communications. This division created two related but separately managed businesses, although the Shaw family retained significant ownership interests in both for many years. Under Leslie Shaw’s leadership, the pipeline and industrial materials business expanded internationally. By 2002, the company was reported to have a market capitalization of approximately $1 billion and 43 plants across 20 countries. Around that period, leadership passed from Leslie Shaw to his daughter Virginia Shaw. The company continued to build a portfolio of engineered-materials and connection-technology businesses, including products used in composite pipe systems, cable protection, electrical and industrial applications, and pipeline-related infrastructure. Historically, Shawcor operated through two principal segments: Composite Technologies and Connection Technologies. Composite Technologies included Flexpipe and Xerxes, while Connection Technologies included AmerCable, DSG Canusa, and Shawflex. The company was also associated with a major pipe-coating solutions division. That division, previously connected with Halliburton under the Bredero Price name, became an important part of Shawcor’s operations. Shawcor acquired the portion it did not already own for approximately $200 million in 2002. The company considered strategic alternatives during periods of portfolio change. In 2012, it indicated that it might consider a sale of the business, when its market capitalization was reported at roughly $3 billion. It ultimately decided not to sell, and the share price reportedly declined by 15% after that decision. In 2013, Shawcor removed its dual-class share structure, ending the arrangement under which the Shaw family controlled a majority of voting shares. At the end of 2023, Shawcor sold its former pipe-coating solutions division to Tenaris. The divestiture marked a major change in the company’s historical portfolio and reduced its direct exposure to a business that had previously been its largest division. The company subsequently operated under the Mattr name, emphasizing materials technology and its remaining composite and connection-technology activities. Reference material describes the business as having approximately 100 manufacturing and service facilities and sales offices, with about 6,000 employees in 25 countries. Mattr should therefore be understood as an industrial materials-technology company rather than an apparel or sportswear brand.
History
Mattr traces its history to a construction company founded by Francis Shaw in rural Lambton County, Canada. The original business later moved into pipeline coatings, cable television-related activities, and other industrial operations. Its eventual development into Shawcor was shaped by a family division in the 1970s. Francis Shaw’s sons received different parts of the business: Leslie Shaw inherited the pipeline-services operation, while J. R. Shaw inherited the western cable business that became Shaw Communications. The two companies remained historically connected through family ownership, but they developed as separate enterprises. Leslie Shaw led the pipeline and industrial materials business through a period of significant expansion. By 2002, Shawcor reportedly had a market capitalization of about $1 billion and 43 plants in 20 countries. Leadership later passed from Leslie Shaw to his daughter Virginia Shaw. The company expanded its portfolio through acquisitions and the development of engineered products for energy, infrastructure, cable, electrical, and industrial customers. A significant part of the historical business was the pipe-coating solutions division. This operation had previously been associated with Halliburton and was known as Bredero Price. In 2002, Shawcor acquired the portion of the division that it did not already own for approximately $200 million. The division subsequently became the company’s largest division for a period, although it was later sold to Tenaris at the end of 2023. Shawcor also underwent important governance and strategic changes. In 2012, it suggested that it might consider a sale of the company, but ultimately remained independent. The decision was followed by a reported 15 percent decline in the share price. In 2013, the company removed its dual-class share structure, reducing the formal voting advantage previously held by the Shaw family. Before the divestiture of the pipe-coating business, Shawcor described its operations through Composite Technologies and Connection Technologies. Flexpipe and Xerxes were associated with the composite segment, while AmerCable, DSG Canusa, and Shawflex were associated with connection technologies. The company was described as having around 100 manufacturing and service facilities and sales offices, approximately 6,000 employees, and operations in 25 countries. The Mattr name represents the company’s post-Shawcor corporate identity and its continuing focus on materials technology. The available reference material does not provide a detailed account of the rebranding process, current management roster, current revenue, or the precise legal and operating structure of the renamed company. Those details require verification from current company filings or official corporate communications.
- 2023
Pipe-coating division sold to Tenaris
[1]Shawcor sold its former pipe-coating solutions division to Tenaris at the end of the year.
- 2013
Dual-class share structure eliminated
[1]The company removed its dual-class share structure, ending the Shaw family’s majority voting control under that system.
- 2012
Possible sale considered but not pursued
[1]Shawcor considered whether to put itself up for sale but ultimately remained independent.
- 2002
Acquisition of the remaining pipe-coating interest
[1]Shawcor acquired the portion of the former Bredero Price pipe-coating division that it did not already own for approximately $200 million.
- 2002
International scale expands
[1]The company was reported to have reached approximately $1 billion in market capitalization, with 43 plants in 20 countries.
- 1970
Family business is divided
[1]The Shaw family business was divided between Leslie Shaw’s pipeline-services operation and J. R. Shaw’s western cable business, which later became Shaw Communications.
Francis Shaw establishes the predecessor business
[1]Francis Shaw founded the predecessor construction business in rural Lambton County, Canada.
Products and positioning
Mattr is positioned as a multinational materials technology company focused on engineered composite, connection, cable, and industrial infrastructure solutions. Its identity reflects a shift away from the broader legacy portfolio associated with Shawcor and toward specialized technologies intended for demanding industrial and infrastructure applications.
Composite pipe systems
Flexpipe
Flexpipe is identified as part of the company’s Composite Technologies segment. The line represents composite pipe-system capabilities within the company’s broader materials-technology portfolio. The available reference does not specify individual models, technical specifications, or current product availability.
Composite and industrial products
Xerxes
Xerxes was identified as one of the businesses in Shawcor’s Composite Technologies segment. It formed part of the company’s portfolio of engineered composite solutions for industrial and infrastructure applications. Detailed product families and current brand architecture are not specified in the supplied reference.
Industrial and electrical cables
AmerCable
AmerCable was listed within Shawcor’s Connection Technologies segment. The business is associated with specialized cable products serving industrial and electrical applications. The supplied material does not provide a complete catalog or confirm how the brand is organized under Mattr.
Connection and joining solutions
DSG Canusa
DSG Canusa was identified as a Connection Technologies business. It represents engineered connection, joining, or protection solutions within the historical Shawcor portfolio. Specific products, markets, and post-rebranding ownership details are not provided by the reference material.
Industrial cable products
Shawflex
Shawflex was listed in the Connection Technologies segment and is associated with industrial cable-related products. The available reference does not identify individual product series or confirm the current commercial presentation of the line under Mattr.
Controversies
2021
Shawcor fined following 2018 workplace injury
Shawcor was fined $182,000 after pleading guilty to a charge under Saskatchewan's occupational health and safety regulations. The charge related to a December 17, 2018 workplace incident in which an employee was injured after becoming trapped in machinery.
Brand decisions
2023
Sell pipe-coating solutions division to TenarisM&ABackground
The pipe-coating solutions division had historically been a major part of Shawcor and was described as the company’s largest division before the transaction.
Action taken
Shawcor sold the division to Tenaris at the end of 2023.
Aftermath
The sale materially changed the company’s portfolio and preceded or accompanied its transition to the Mattr identity.
2013
Eliminate dual-class share structureStrategyBackground
The Shaw family controlled a majority of voting shares through a dual-class share arrangement.
Action taken
Shawcor eliminated the dual-class share structure.
Aftermath
The change removed the family’s formal majority voting control under the previous share structure.
2012
Decide not to sell the companyStrategyBackground
Shawcor indicated that it might consider putting itself up for sale while its market capitalization was reported at approximately $3 billion.
Action taken
The company chose not to proceed with a sale and remained independent.
Aftermath
The share price was reported to have declined by 15 percent after the decision.
Reported share-price change after decision. -15% (2012)
2002
Acquire remaining interest in pipe-coating operationsM&ABackground
Shawcor’s pipe-coating activities included a business historically associated with Halliburton and known as Bredero Price. The company did not own the entire division at that time.
Action taken
Shawcor acquired the portion of the division it did not already own for approximately $200 million.
Aftermath
The pipe-coating solutions division later became the company’s largest division before being sold to Tenaris at the end of 2023.
Acquisition price. $200 million (2002)
Recent events
Reported
Shawcor fined following 2018 workplace injury[2]
Shawcor was fined $182,000 after pleading guilty to a charge under Saskatchewan's occupational health and safety regulations. The charge related to a December 17, 2018 workplace incident in which an employee was injured after becoming trapped in machinery.
Sources2 sources
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