Nieltech Services Marks 40 Years of Excellence

In the world of trenchless technology, some companies build their brand through visibility — others through results. Since its inception, Nieltech Services Ltd. has operated firmly in the latter category. It has quietly earned a reputation for technical excellence, reliability, and enduring client relationships.

As the Cambridge, Ontario–based firm moves into its fourth decade, it remains a fixture in Canada’s underground infrastructure landscape. Though still, perhaps, one of its best-kept secrets.

From Humble Beginnings

Founded in 1984, Nieltech began as a modest operation focused on air testing of sanitary sewers, CCTV inspection, and flushing. The company’s first projects were small-scale, often dealing with localized blockages or basic maintenance work. But even then, its founders were thinking long-term. They invested in equipment, training, and techniques that would one day set them apart.

Over the years, Nieltech evolved into a trusted partner to municipalities, utilities, builders, developers, and contractors across Ontario. Its service portfolio expanded well beyond CCTV inspection and flushing. It now includes manhole rehabilitation, pressure grouting, spot repairs, and other trenchless techniques for infiltration control. This diversification allowed Nieltech to meet a broader range of infrastructure challenges. It maintained the agility to respond to urgent, time-sensitive issues.

Built from the Ground Up

Nieltech’s story begins during a period of rapid growth and urban expansion in Ontario. In the mid-1980s, the province’s aging sewer and stormwater systems were already showing signs of strain.

With limited budgets and growing populations, municipalities needed cost-effective, non-invasive methods to assess and repair their buried assets.

Recognizing this need, Nieltech’s founders embraced trenchless technology at a time when the approach was still emerging. By investing in specialized equipment, pioneering proprietary techniques, and adopting innovations like low-pressure air testing early on, the company positioned itself as a pioneer in this niche. It was a rapidly growing field.

Later, by adopting PACP/MACP/LACP certification standards, Nieltech ensured that every inspection met the highest levels of accuracy and consistency. This was something municipalities increasingly demanded.
The company’s focus on workforce stability became a hallmark of its culture. Many senior staff have been with Nieltech for decades. They passed down technical expertise and instilled a sense of ownership in every project.

“Our crews aren’t just skilled — they know these systems inside and out,” says Mike Voll, general superintendent. “That knowledge isn’t something you can buy off the shelf.”

A Portfolio Rooted in Trust

Since joining the NSS Holdings family in 2014, Nieltech has benefited from the strength and resources of a parent company that boasts a comprehensive civil contracting division. This division specializes in sewer and watermain construction. It includes a dedicated aggregate operation, and a full-service utility division focused on joint trenching for cable and natural gas servicing in new developments.

This integration has allowed Nieltech to mobilize faster, scale resources for large, multi-phase projects, and offer a seamless range of complementary services. Whether tackling infiltration on a residential street in Oakville, rehabilitating trunk sewers in Hamilton, or performing emergency inspections after a major storm in the Halton Region, the company approaches each job with the same precision and care.

Unlike larger firms chasing headline-grabbing infrastructure builds, Nieltech thrives in the highly specialized space of maintenance, rehabilitation, and targeted repairs. Its crews inspect thousands of meters of pipe each year. They do so in challenging environments and deliver clear, precise, and actionable data to guide municipal asset management programs.

Long-term service agreements have been central to this success. Built on trust, performance, and consistency rather than price alone, these partnerships mean clients often see the same crews return year after year. This continuity saves time, reduces disruptions, and builds a working relationship where problems can be anticipated. Often, they are prevented before they escalate.

Strength in a Competitive Industry

So why is Nieltech still relatively unknown outside its core clientele? According to those within the company, it’s by design.

“We’ve always believed good work speaks for itself,” says Voll, who is the son of the founder Ken Voll. “Our focus has never been on marketing. We’d rather be on-site solving problems than on stage talking about them”.

Voll often recalls spending his youth around job sites—climbing in and out of manholes while other kids were playing with G.I. Joes. This early exposure instilled in him both technical skills, and a deep respect for the trade.

While some competitors have chased rapid expansion or aggressive branding, Nieltech has chosen measured growth. It prioritizes quality over quantity and relationships over recognition. It’s a strategy that has helped the company avoid the pitfalls of overextension. It has built a foundation strong enough to weather market shifts, economic downturns, and evolving municipal priorities.

Investing in the Future

Even as it celebrates its 40-year milestone, Nieltech is firmly focused on the future. Investments are being made in next-generation tools and enhanced data management platforms, along with innovations like the Thermoform™ lining system. This opens new possibilities in storm sewer and culvert rehabilitation.
The company is also expanding its lateral rehabilitation capabilities, integrating Top-Hat and T-liner installations, and adopting newer grouting materials to improve performance and longevity. These advancements are tailored to ensure repairs not only solve immediate issues but also contribute to the long-term health of infrastructure networks.

Equally important is Nieltech’s commitment to workforce development. Recognizing the industry-wide skilled labor gap, the company invests heavily in training programs that pair new hires with experienced veterans.

“Our people are our strength,” says Tyler Loveday, operations manager. “We’re proud to have one of the most experienced teams in the industry, and we’re committed to passing that expertise forward.”

A Legacy Worth Celebrating

Forty years in any industry is an achievement. In trenchless technology—where methods, tools, and client expectations have evolved dramatically—it’s a testament to resilience and adaptability.

Nieltech’s legacy isn’t just about milestones. It’s also about the trust built over decades, the quiet consistency in the face of change, and the relationships that turn first-time clients into long-term partners.

While other firms chase headlines, Nieltech has built its reputation by focusing on what lies beneath — both literally and figuratively. In doing so, it has remained one of Canada’s best-kept secrets in trenchless technology.

For those who have worked with them, however, there’s no secret at all.

John M. Medeiros is a senior manager with NSS Holdings and works across the various divisions within the organization.

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