OUR STORY
Base Commodities Corp. was founded in 2015 by international steel trading professional Paul Bicknell. Established in Toronto, Ontario, Base Commodities became Canada’s first independent electrical steel service centre. In the years following its founding, Base Commodities has cultivated strong relationships with premier international suppliers to deliver the highest quality materials. At the same time, it has established a significant and expanding customer base, encompassing major core and transformer manufacturers across the Americas.
EXPERIENCE AT THE CORE
At the heart of our company is Managing Partner Paul Bicknell, who brings over 30 years of international steel trading experience. His career has taken him across North America, South America, Asia, and Europe, where he’s built strong, lasting relationships with trusted suppliers.
That depth of experience shapes everything we do—from how we source materials to how we understand the needs of our clients. It’s a business built on real-world knowledge, industry insight, and a long-standing commitment to doing things the right way.
WHAT WE SUPPLY, AND WHERE IT COMES FROM.
We supply electrical steel and core materials from trusted mills across Europe, and Asia. Our product range includes grain-oriented and non-oriented electrical steel, available in both slit coil and cut-to-length formats. We also offer banding solutions for cores, supporting transformer and electrical applications where quality and consistency matter.
Team Spotlight: Paul Bicknell
Managing Partner & Founder
With over three decades of experience in the metals and steel industry, Paul founded Base Commodities in 2015 bringing deep market knowledge and trusted supply chain relationships to clients across North America. Prior to launching the company, he held senior roles at industry leaders like Marubeni-Itochu and Atlas Stainless Steel. Known for his strategic insight, negotiation skill, and steady leadership, Paul continues to guide Base Commodities with a hands-on approach and a long-term vision for growth.
Team Spotlight: Mathieu Costile
Trader and Operations
Mathieu brings over a decade of international experience in finance, operations, and consulting. At Base Commodities, he helps drive both trading and internal process improvement with a sharp eye for detail and strategy. With a background in accounting and FP&A, and past roles ranging from reinsurance to startups, he’s a versatile problem-solver focused on clarity, efficiency, and growth.