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About MICA Controls
MICA Controls was founded with a clear vision: to build a company where we could take full responsibility for our culture, our direction, and—most importantly—the outcomes we deliver to our customers. After years of experience within larger organizations, our founders recognized the limitations that rigid structures placed on doing what was truly best for clients. They set out to create a company with the flexibility to adapt, to pivot when needed, and to meet customers where they are—delivering practical, effective results without compromise. At the core of MICA is a deep commitment to our work and the systems we help build, driven by pride in what we deliver and respect for the industries we serve.
In our early years, MICA focused on delivering strong technical outcomes using the products we represented, supported by extensive real-world implementation experience. Our team’s background spans complex petrochemical facilities through to smaller well sites and lift stations, bringing a level of practical expertise that quickly set us apart. Through exclusive partnerships with leading manufacturers such as Beijer Electronics, Dynamic Flow Computers, and HIMA (with exclusivity in Western Canada), customers began turning to MICA not only for products, but for trusted guidance—particularly in specialized areas such as HIPPS and BMS.
As we grew, so did the demand for our engineering insight in functional safety and system design. In 2018, MICA worked alongside a team of industry experts in the development of Annex I for the update of the CSA B149.3-20, introducing functional safety concepts into the code, helping to establish a performance based approach following an international process safety standard into a Canadian Code. This forward-thinking framework was implemented by MICA Controls in 2013 under AMA’s variance approach, and then in our 2019 projects, ahead of the code’s full adoption in 2020—reflecting our commitment to staying at the forefront of industry standards and best practices.
While MICA Controls began as a product-focused representative, our approach has evolved to prioritize delivering the best possible outcome for each customer. Today, we operate with a brand-neutral philosophy, selecting technologies and designing systems based solely on what will perform best for the application. This ensures every project is aligned with our customers’ operational needs, rather than constrained by predetermined product choices.
Our evolution has also expanded our reach beyond upstream oil and gas and petrochemical markets. With the opening of our Victoria office in 2015, MICA broadened into municipal SCADA, water and wastewater, energy, rail, and defense sectors—continuing to grow alongside our customers while remaining grounded in our commitment to flexibility, expertise, and delivering meaningful value.
In 2022, MICA Controls took the next step in its evolution by separating its engineering and product divisions to better serve customers with focused expertise. Today, MICA Controls is dedicated to delivering engineering projects and system-level outcomes, while MICA Technologies specializes in industrial automation, control, networking, and combustion products—supported by engineering expertise to maintain its integrity as a solutions-driven supplier.
Our Vision
Our Vision
To be a company defined by evolution—constantly improving our solutions, embracing new technologies, and raising the standard for safety and performance in our industry.
Our Mission
Our Mission
To deliver smarter, tailored solutions through continuous evolution and ensure every customer receives the best possible outcome avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach.
Our founders start working on the same projects
The foundation of MICA Controls began when founders Rob Mitchell and Chris Caso-Rohland first collaborated on industry projects. They initially met at an industrial plant, where Rob was specifying transmitters and Chris was completing a facility tour. Navigating an industry with a significant generational gap, they quickly bonded with a close-knit group of young professionals across multiple departments. This shared experience laid the groundwork for a strong friendship and a lasting business partnership.
They are hired at the same companies
Chris and Rob collaborated in leadership roles across several organizations. Chris drove sales and business development, utilizing his engineering background to act as a systems and product specialist. To complement this, Rob directed the engineering division, overseeing project execution and successfully implementing the proposed technical solutions. Recognizing the strength of their combined expertise, the two industry professionals decided to establish their own company.
MICA Controls is born.
MICA Controls was founded with a clear vision: to deliver exceptional technical solutions driven by practical implementation experience. In our early years, we focused on providing tailored solutions using the specialized products we represented, always ensuring the best possible outcome for our clients.
Our founders, Rob and Chris, brought extensive real-world expertise to the table. Their backgrounds spanned a diverse range of operational environments, from complex petrochemical facilities down to small well sites and lift stations. This deep understanding of field operations, coupled with a strong focus on process safety, quickly set us apart in the industry.
Our first HIPPS project
for a Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) facility.
As MICA's reputation grew, we established a definitive engineering niche in advanced safety systems. Customers recognized the value of our specialized knowledge and increasingly turned to MICA Controls not just for product procurement, but for trusted, expert guidance in High Integrity Pressure Protection Systems (HIPPS) and Burner Management Systems (BMS).
Our first gas HIPPS commission & first BMS design for large reformers
Carbon Capture & Storage (CSS) project at a refinery, utilizing IEC 61511 to prove compliance to CSA B149.3.
Our Victoria, BC office is opened.
The opening of our Victoria, BC office marked the beginning of our nationwide expansion. This milestone was quickly followed by the establishment of our Ontario location, allowing us to build a dedicated team of professionals spanning across Canada. As our national presence grew, we continuously evolved our engineering solutions to confidently meet the unique and diverse needs of our clients in both British Columbia and Ontario.
MICA starts adopting more virtual tools.
MICA began adopting virtual tools to improve collaboration with both employees and customers, including conducting meetings online and expanding remote ways of working. This early shift to virtual operations positioned the company to navigate the COVID-19 shutdowns with minimal disruption, while maintaining strong communication and continuity of service.
Throughout this period, MICA remained focused on supporting critical safety systems and keeping remote monitoring and cybersecurity a top priority.
Our first steam-driven process turbine HIPPS commission
The Formation of MICA Technologies
To better serve our clients and optimize our technical expertise, MICA strategically evolved into two specialized entities. MICA Controls retained its core focus on delivering premium engineering solutions and comprehensive project execution. Simultaneously, MICA Technologies was established to spearhead and expand our industrial product distribution network—focusing on automation, control, networking, and combustion products across Canada. This structural evolution ensures both divisions operate with focused expertise, providing highly targeted, industry-leading support to our partners nationwide.
We continue to evolve.
As our company continues to evolve, we remain dedicated to delivering advanced engineering projects and comprehensive system-level outcomes.
Our historical milestones include:
- HIPPS Implementation: Successfully deployed over 15 High-Integrity Pressure Protection Systems (HIPPS) across Western Canada.
- Fired Equipment Expertise: Commissioned more than 100 pieces of fired equipment (ranging from 2 million to 1.6 billion BTU/hr), encompassing complex reformers, Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSGs), Sulfur Recovery Units (SRUs), dual fueling and multifuel applications with Fuel-Air Ratio Control (FARC) technology.