The Pickford Group began business in the late 1940's as T.R. Pickford & Company. The company’s founder, Tom Pickford (1900-1967) began by importing wire rope and various drilling-related equipment. In the 1950's, the company operated as Wellhead Controls until 1989, at which time it became The Pickford Group Ltd.

Since 1989, The Pickford Group has operated two divisions. The Plant Maintenance division sells and rents specialized torqueing tools and portable machining tools for the plant and pipeline industries and represents major manufacturers that are world leaders in their products. This division focuses on the sales and rentals of specialized equipment dealing with issues such as flange joint integrity, torqueing and tensioning, portable machining and cold cutting of pipe, flanges and vessels. This division also focuses on heat exchanger testing and plugging equipment for maximum efficiency. Hydrostatic test plugs that decrease down time, as well as many more safety-related products are on offer.

The Flow Control division focuses on supplying both valve automation products and valves, representing a number of major companies that manufacture high quality, specialized products for oil & gas, petrochemical, refinery, power, food processing, pharmaceutical, pulp & paper, and mining industries. This division carries a substantial inventory that satisfies both pneumatic and electric solutions to valve automation requirements.  The Pickford Group’s customers are assisted in the proper sizing of actuators and valves for specific projects and applications through computer-based sizing programs.

The Pickford Group in front of the Edmonton Office