Cambrian College made history at this year’s convocation by awarding its first-ever honorary degree to a trailblazer in mining innovation — Walter Siggelkow, founder and president of HLS Hard-Line Solutions. A 1991 graduate of Cambrian’s Electronics Engineering Technologist program, Walter turned personal adversity into opportunity, using education to pivot from mechanic to global technology entrepreneur.
Walter began his mining career in 1979 as a machinist with Raise Contracting before joining Denison Mines in Elliot Lake. Over the next decade, he earned multiple certifications — Heavy Equipment Mechanic, Motor Vehicle Mechanic, and Truck and Coach Mechanic — while specializing in electric hydraulic jumbos and maintaining Sandvik’s first remote-controlled rod changer drill. After a work injury, Walter decided to pursue a new path, enrolling at Cambrian College to study electronics.
Following graduation, Walter became a Field Service Technician installing remote-control systems and later rose to general manager of Thompson Technology, one of the first companies worldwide to deliver turnkey radio remote control systems for mining and military equipment. In 1996, with a group of five collaborators in his basement, Walter founded Hard-Line — now a global force in mining automation — to design systems that would remove operators from hazardous environments.
Under Walter’s leadership, Hard-Line has become known for its cutting-edge technologies, including remote-control (RRC) systems, the TeleOp suite, LP Series, and BackBone Networks. These innovations have transformed heavy machinery safety and efficiency in mining, waste cleanup, and other industries. Walter has travelled the world deploying his solutions and continues to lead with creativity and purpose.
Hard-Line and Walter have received numerous accolades for innovation and industry impact, including Cambrian’s Employer Award of Distinction, the Canadian Innovation Award for Export Diversification, and the Northern Ontario Business Award for Entrepreneur of the Year. Walter is also a proud member of the MineConnect Hall of Fame, and a Community Builders Award recipient for economic development.
Walter’s passion for education is deeply rooted in his leadership philosophy. He has created student work placements, contributed to program development at Cambrian and Collège Boréal, and maintained strong ties with local schools like Lo-Ellen Park Secondary. His support extends to university-level partnerships as well, including a $250,000 investment in Laurentian University’s Mechatronics program. In honour of his remarkable achievements and dedication to community and education, Cambrian College proudly presented Walter with its first-ever Honorary Bachelor of Business Degree. Congratulations, Walter!
