A year has passed since Canada’s Logistics Vehicle Modernization (LVM) contract was formally awarded to the Power Team – a cross-industry consortium led by General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada and Marshall.
The decision was announced in Ottawa by the Honourable Bill Blair, then Minister of National Defence, on the opening day of CANSEC, the nation’s largest security and defence show. The Department of National Defence’s statement outlined the impressive scope of the programme, which will provide the Canadian Armed Forces with a new fleet of over 1,500 light and heavy trucks, as well as associated equipment such as armoured protection kits, modules, containers, and trailers.
The last 12 months have not been spent idly at Marshall’s state-of-the-art facility in Moncton, New Brunswick, which will deliver a range of truck-mountable light mission modules for the LVM programme. Prototype production is expected to start in late 2025, ramping up to full-rate production in 2026 through 2028.
Proving the facility
Marshall Canada’s 82,000 sq ft production site in Moncton, New Brunswick, opened its doors in October 2023. Since then, the facility has been tried and tested through a number of successful projects—most notably the Netherlands Specialised Containers (NLSC) programme, for which the Moncton team produced a total of 93 containers.
Delivering other smaller-scale projects from Moncton has also allowed the team to rigorously test and validate their production lines, tooling and equipment to fine-tune processes and ensure the facility is optimised for efficient, high-quality output.
Equally, engaging manufacturing teams has been particularly important throughout the process of preparing for LVM production. Teams have been actively involved in some low-volume projects, where the emphasis has been on ensuring individuals are given a firm grasp of the complete end-to-end process from design through to delivery. This exposure has helped build a strong sense of ownership, fostered collaboration across teams and instilled a culture of continuous improvement.
By methodically testing systems, engaging team members and embedding best practices into every stage of the production process, Marshall has proved that both the team and the facility are fully prepared to deliver the scale and complexity of the LVM project successfully.
Driving operational excellence
The ramp-up to LVM production has also provided a perfect opportunity to embed industry-leading practices into the team’s processes, creating a culture that encourages continuous learning and prioritises quality, efficiency, and innovation.
Marshall’s Moncton team engaged Lean Six Sigma specialists to audit the efficiency of its processes; while several specific improvements were flagged and implemented, the team received very positive feedback, highlighting the strength of the existing production approach. In parallel, the team received Lean Six Sigma training, encouraging and supporting an enduring culture of continuous improvement.
Beyond optimising processes, progress is being made towards establishing the Moncton facility as a pioneer in digital transformation, automation and 4IR readiness, driving efficiencies at every stage.
Supporting the local economy
The LVM programme is set to be a catalyst for domestic and regional economic growth, creating wide-ranging benefits for both individuals and industry partners in the area. From generating skilled jobs and training opportunities to fostering the development of a robust supply chain within the region, Marshall has been working over the past 12 months to effectively prepare for LVM and deliver long-term value.
In line with the expected creation of over 500 direct employment opportunities in Eastern Canada from the LVM programme alone, Marshall has already started creating job opportunities across a range of disciplines including manufacturing, logistics and project management and has been actively training its teams to create a highly skilled workforce. Further recruitment is planned in line with the production schedule.
The team is also working to mature the supply chain in the region, which has involved identifying and engaging local suppliers, building partnerships and ensuring quality and delivery standards are aligned to meet the demand of the LVM project.
“Through planning, investing and partnering, we have been hard at work over the last 12 months, laying a solid foundation to ensure we’re ready to deliver at volume for the Canadian Armed Forces.
“Standing up this brand new facility has required extensive work behind the scenes and proactive planning to ensure we are well prepared for production to start in late 2025.”
Alain Gauthier
Vice President - North America, Marshall
Partnering to deliver a full range of capabilities
In addition to the impressive progress made on the light capability LVM mission modules to be manufactured in Moncton, Marshall also has overall responsibility for delivering a range of larger heavy capability modules. The Marshall Canada team is working closely with leading industry partners on the design and development of these modules, which will include personnel transport carriers, fuel modules and flat racks, among others.
As the LVM programme continues to gather pace, the strength of these strategic relationships will enable the Power Team and its extended network of suppliers and partners to deliver world-class, reliable products for the Canadian Armed Forces. There is a shared sense of excitement around the next phases of the programme across both light and heavy capabilities.
