History
HFI Pyrotechnics (formerly Hands Fireworks) has been creating commercial pyrotechnics since 1873, when it was founded by William Hand.
HFI was initially a fireworks manufacturer and then transitioned into a specialty pyrotechnics supplier for the Canadian Military during the first and second world wars. As a result, HFI has developed a wide range of specialty pyrotechnic products to meet the needs of the global Defence and Security market.
As a leader in the design and manufacturing of specialty pyrotechnics products, HFI’s products are used around the world by military and commercial clients to meet their specific needs for safety, steadfast reliability and cost-effective performance.
For over 150 years, HFI has provided product performance and value that our clients have come to expect and is Canada's premier producer and supplier of military quality, specialty pyrotechnics products and services for military and commercial use.
Get in touch
HFI Pyrotechnics are looking forward to the new challenge our customers can bring to our talented team of problem solvers.
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3322 Hands Road, R,R. #4
Prescott, ON K0E1T0
Canada
Our Team
President
Rhiannon Iles
Rhiannon holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of New Brunswick and is a Professional Engineer in Ontario. Rhiannon worked for Procter and Gamble Inc, for 24 years, and held roles in engineering, project management, change management and delivery, manufacturing operations, organization design, human resources, health and safety, and Industry 4.0 Innovation at the plant, business unit, and corporate level. Rhiannon is known for her servant leadership approach, and the development and implementation of standards and systemic work processes. Rhiannon joined HFI Pyrotechnics in October 2020. Rhiannon and her team led HFI through tremendous growth in capabilities and revenue, and set the foundation for further expansion as we grow internationally and develop new products. Rhiannon became President in April 2023. Rhiannon’s focus will be on developing the HFI strategic plan and the leadership and organizational capability needed to support HFI’s future growth as the strategic supplier strategic supplier of pyrotechnic devices for military training and search and rescue.
Vice President of Growth and Development
Martin Brown
Martin started in the security field, with the Royal Hong Kong Police, including stints working closely with the UK Military. He then had a series of successful international business development positions, based in the UK, Singapore, and Canada, focused on developing markets for innovative respiratory protection. For over 20 years Martin has made his home in Eastern Ontario during which time he had a lengthy career with leading professional services organization, Lloyd’s Register. With Lloyd’s, he was involved in business development, marketing, and sales, driving growth in various global geographies. Martin joined HFI Pyrotechnics in January 2021 in the role of Director of Business Development, reporting to the CEO. Martin is focused on building HFI’s current impressive growth rate further by expanding solid relationships with valued customers and establishing sustainable new markets and customers in the defence, security and commercial sectors.
Director of Production
Marcus Shaw
Marcus is an Electrical Engineering Technician by training and has led the production operation at HFI for the last five years. As a Lean Production and Logistics leader, Marcus continues to support HFI’s goal to improve both the quality and cost-effectiveness to keep HFI as the lowest cost producer of these products worldwide.
Director of Site Safety & Regulatory Compliance
Todd Giles
Todd holds numerous Canadian and internationally recognized qualifications, specific to the Ammunition Professional Practitioner field. As a retired Air Weapons Systems Technician and Aircraft Maintenance Superintendent, Todd brings a wealth of operational health and safety, strategic and programmatic regulatory compliance, as well as security experience to HFI from Royal Canadian Air Force. With a strong instructional background in both, technical and adaptive leadership fields, he is noted for his ability to develop multifaceted, highly capable, technical teams who deliver assigned objectives, in timely fashion, and all within scope of governing policies. Joining the HFI Team in January 2022, Todd’s focus will be the continued development of a multifaceted team of safety professionals, who’s objective will enable HFI to lean forward into the future, continuing as a world-renowned manufacturer of military pyrotechnics.
Chief Chemist, R&D Manager
Nic Andrews
Nic received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Queen’s University in 2017. After completion of his Masters Degree in Chemistry from the University of Durham, UK, Nic decided to move to Eastern Ontario and join the group of Hans-Peter Loock at Queen’s University. Here he gained research experience building novel optical fibre and free-space based spectrometers. After his completion of his Ph.D. in 2017, Nic could not resist the opportunity to switch gears and learn pyrotechnic chemistry at HFI. Nic is now focused on building HFIs R&D capabilities and collaborative opportunities to drive innovation at HFI towards world leading products.
Pyrotechnics Engineering Manager
Steve Robar
Steve holds degrees in Chemical Engineering and Mathematics from the University of Ottawa and is a Professional Engineer of Ontario. Steve joined HFI in 2008, first learning the C8 Smoke Grenade production process, then expanded his technical knowledge into all HFI’s product lines. Steve is focused on delivering high quality pyrotechnic products and problem solving through process engineering and statistical methods.
Quality Manager
Jennifer Roney
Jennifer holds a bachelor’s degree in Engineering Chemistry from Queen’s University. She brings 24 years of manufacturing experience to HFI, with the majority of her career in technical and managerial roles at 3M Canada Company encompassing quality, safety, product development and process engineering. She has supported the manufacturing of life-safety military products and also has experience in GMP-driven pharmaceutical manufacturing. She has a passion for data analysis, experimental design, validation planning and process thinking. Jennifer cares deeply that quality systems perform flawlessly for the people and products they serve.
Certifications
Associations and Memberships
