What WATERAX does

WATERAX Inc. is a Montreal-headquartered manufacturer specializing in portable and vehicle-mount fire pumps and water-handling equipment for wildland firefighting, with a heritage dating to the late 1890s and operating as a division of Wildfire Group Holding Inc. Its core technology centers on four-stage centrifugal pump design, including a proprietary 140cc industrial engine purpose-built for the MARK-3 Watson Edition, composite corrosion-resistant pump ends, and QPL qualification under USDA Forest Service Specification 5100-274e. The product portfolio spans the portable high-pressure MARK-3 and MINI-MARK series for initial attack and structure protection, vehicle-mount series (BB-4, STRIKER, B2X, VERSAX) covering Type 5–7 apparatus, and supporting offerings including the DCP200 digital control panel, the MyWATERAX Bluetooth monitoring mobile app, and a genuine parts catalog distributed via shop.waterax.ca and shop.waterax.com.

Revenue is generated primarily through hardware sales — portable pumps, vehicle-mount pump systems, and replacement parts — distributed globally through a dealer and distributor network spanning more than 50 countries, supplemented by OEM integration partnerships (e.g., TECHNAMM) that embed WATERAX pumps into purpose-built firefighting vehicles, authorized repair centers for aftermarket service, and direct e-commerce storefronts in Canada and the United States. A smaller recurring component comes from subscription and perpetual licensing of embedded firmware and the MyWATERAX mobile application. Customers are predominantly government fire agencies at federal, state/provincial, and municipal levels, wildland-urban interface (WUI) departments, apparatus OEMs, and dealers, with end-users being wildland firefighting crews globally.

Go-to-market combines event-driven demand generation (live demonstrations at major trade shows such as INTERSCHUTZ 2026), enterprise field sales staffed by former wildland operators, channel-driven distribution through dealers, and content marketing via the "On the road with Watson" blog, social channels, and email. The company has received multiple Quebec and industry recognitions including the ADRIQ INNOVATION AWARD SME 2023, Business of the Year, and Innovators in Sustainable Technology at the Alpha Gala, and was ranked a Top 10 Enterprise in Fire Protection by Enterprise Security Magazine in 2022.

Name

WATERAX

Legal name

WATERAX Inc.

Website

https://waterax.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1899

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

WATERAX designs and manufactures portable and vehicle-mount fire pumps and water-handling equipment for wildland firefighting, serving government agencies, OEMs, and dealers across 50+ countries from its Montreal base with proprietary four-stage centrifugal pump technology.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildland Firefighting Pumps

NAICS

Pump and Compressor Manufacturing (33391), Fluid Power Pump and Motor Manufacturing (333996), Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing (3336)

SIC

Pumps & Pumping Equipment (3561), Engines & Turbines (3510)

akta.pro primary industry

Pump & Compressor Packages (Skids, Booster Sets) (IMAHANAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Fire Protection & Life Safety Systems (Firewater, Suppression, Detection, Alarm) (EUAEAFAG)

Keywords

• Wildland fire pumps
• Portable high-pressure pumps
• Vehicle-mount firefighting pumps
• Fire protection equipment
• Four-stage centrifugal pumps

Headquarters

HQ city

Montréal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Portable Fire Pumps: Sale of high-pressure portable fire pumps including MARK-3 series, MINI-MARK series, and related equipment. These are precision-engineered pumps trusted by wildland firefighters.
2. Vehicle-Mount Pump Systems: Pumps designed for OEM integration into brush trucks, UTV skids, and firefighting vehicles. Sold to vehicle manufacturers who embed them in their apparatus.
3. Genuine Parts and Accessories: Replacement parts, water-handling accessories, and genuine parts store for maintaining pump reliability and durability.
4. Software Subscriptions: Licensor Hosted Software subscription model for accessing hosted Subscription with latest supported version, accessed through internet with firmware updates. Includes MyWATERAX mobile app for pump monitoring.
5. Software Licenses: Embedded software license for hardware devices, non-exclusive, non-transferable license for use on the hardware device originally designed for the software, for the useful life of the device.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

WATERAX designs, manufactures, and sells precision-engineered portable and vehicle-mount high-pressure fire pumps and water-handling accessories used by wildland firefighters and government agencies. Its product lines include the MARK-3 Watson Edition, MARK-3 Essential, MINI-MARK Watson Edition, BB-4, STRIKER, B2X, VERSAX, and MINI-STRIKER series, complemented by genuine replacement parts and the MyWATERAX mobile monitoring app.

Product overview

WATERAX specializes in portable wildland fire pumps and water-handling accessories, offering a portfolio of distinct product lines. The flagship MARK-3® Watson Edition and MARK-3® Essential are high-pressure four-stage centrifugal portable pumps, complemented by the lightweight MINI-MARK® Watson Edition. Vehicle-mount solutions include the BB-4® Series (Type 6 certified up to 470 PSI), STRIKER™ Series (compact four-stage up to 310 PSI), B2X™ Series (two-stage mid-range up to 300 GPM), and VERSAX® Series (twin-impeller multipurpose). Supporting offerings include the DCP200 Digital Control Panel for electronic pump management, the MyWATERAX mobile app with Bluetooth connectivity for real-time monitoring, and Genuine Parts. The portfolio is unified by precision engineering for wildland firefighting, with shared engineering expertise across generations of trusted safety equipment brands. No public API or developer platform is offered.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MARK-3 Watson Edition: Portable high-pressure fire pump featuring Bluetooth connectivity, live performance insights, geolocation through MyWATERAX app. 20% smaller, 30% lighter than the original MARK-3.
• MARK-3 Essential
• MINI-MARK Watson Edition
• BB-4 Series
• STRIKER Series
• B2X Series
• VERSAX Series
• MyWATERAX

Products and services

• MARK-3® Watson Edition Portable high-pressure four-stage centrifugal fire pump rated for wildland firefighting. 20% smaller and 30% lighter than the predecessor (44 lbs). Features composite pump end, LED diagnostic interface, anti-flooding system, and optional Bluetooth connectivity via the MyWATERAX app. QPL-qualified under USDA Forest Service Specification 5100-274e.
• MARK-3® Essential Mechanical high-pressure four-stage centrifugal pump on the trusted MARK-3 platform in its simplest, most rugged form. No digital interfaces — dependent on field-proven durability and straightforward mechanical operation. Available with optional integral fuel tank providing up to 45 minutes of full-throttle runtime.
• MINI-MARK® Watson Edition Lightweight, high-pressure portable fire pump delivering 85 PSI and 102 GPM. Designed for firefighting and structure protection applications requiring a compact, portable solution.
• BB-4® Series Four-stage vehicle-mount high-pressure pump series rated up to 470 PSI. USFS Type 6 certified (BB-4-D902, BB-4-23V models). Available in gas and diesel configurations. Purpose-built for Type 6 brush trucks and direct attack operations.
• STRIKER™ Series Compact four-stage high-pressure pump rated up to 310 PSI and 118 US gal/min free flow from a footprint sized for Type 7 and lightweight brush trucks. Gas (Honda GX390) and diesel (Yanmar L100) options. Composite pump ends eliminate galvanic corrosion.
• B2X™ Series Two-stage mid-range pump delivering up to 300 GPM free flow. Designed for WUI, dual-line attack, and Type 5–7 apparatus. Available in gas and diesel configurations.
• VERSAX® Series Twin-impeller multipurpose pump designed for multipurpose vehicles, tank fill operations, and light-duty fire apparatus builds.
• MINI-STRIKER® Compact lightweight high-pressure fire pump for Type 7 and lightweight brush truck applications.
• MyWATERAX Mobile App Mobile application companion to the MARK-3 Watson Edition pump featuring Bluetooth connectivity for real-time monitoring, live performance insights, and geolocation of connected pumps. Available on the App Store and Google Play under a subscription/hosted-software model with 30-day evaluation license.

Quantifiable outcome

• Weight reduced from 58.3 lbs to 44 lbs — addresses the leading cause of fireline injuries and removes access barriers for smaller crew members.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• TECHNAMMcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 June 2026TECHNAMM showcased the BB-4-25H with Digital Control Panel integrated into the new Baroudier 3.5T at INTERSCHUTZ 2026. This represents a working example of how WATERAX pumps integrate into purpose-built wildfire vehicles.
• Madison Fire & Rescue Portfolio (Holmator, Task Force Tips, Amkus, Firefighting Systems)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 March 2026A new joint venture is being formed to unite fire and rescue brands including 3M's Scott SCBA franchise with the Madison Fire & Rescue portfolio including WATERAX. The combined entity will create a unified platform dedicated to supporting first responders and workers in hazardous environments.
• One Tree PlantedminorOthersEnvironmental reforestation initiative partner. Since 2017 WATERAX has donated more than $15,000 to plant more than 15,000 trees in North America to help regenerate areas devastated by wildfires.
• American ForestsminorOthersWildfire recovery and forest restoration partner organization supporting WATERAX's reforestation initiatives.
• National ForestsminorOthersPartner organization supporting forest conservation and wildfire recovery efforts.
• Ocean ConservancyminorOthersOcean conservation partner under the 'No Blue, No Green' initiative recognizing the connection between ocean health and forest ecosystems.
• Parley for the OceansminorOthersOcean conservation initiative partner working to reduce plastic pollution and protect marine ecosystems.
• Mission BlueminorOthersOcean conservation organization founded by Dr. Sylvia Earle, focused on protecting ocean ecosystems.
• OceanaminorOthersInternational ocean conservation organization partner.
• NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)minorOthersU.S. federal agency partner focused on ocean and atmospheric conditions, relevant to understanding climate patterns affecting wildfires.
• Granite Mountain FundminorOthersHelps mitigate wildfires and assists communities and families affected by wildfires. Donations benefit multiple firefighter foundations including Wildland Firefighter Foundation, Eric Marsh Foundation, Kevin Woyjeck Foundation, Prescott Firefighter's Charities, California Fire Foundation, and Carry The Load.
• Wildland Firefighter FoundationminorOthersHelps families of firefighters who have died in service and assists injured firefighters and their families. WATERAX donated to this foundation during COVID-19.
• Red CrossminorOthersMultiple donations including $1,000 to BC Wildfire Fund in 2015, $1,000 for Canadian flood relief in 2017, and $1,000 to BC Wildfire Relief Fund in 2017.
• FEMSA (Fire Equipment Manufacturers and Suppliers Association)minorOthersIndustry association member providing networking and standards development for fire equipment manufacturers.
• NFPA (National Fire Protection Association)minorOthersLeading global nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards.
• IAWF (International Association of Wildland Fire)minorOthersProfessional association serving the wildland fire community worldwide.
• Wildfire Industries CollectiveminorOthersIndustry collective focused on the wildfire sector.
• Editable OBA (Bomberos Americanos)minorOthersSpanish-language organization for American firefighters.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Waterous: Waterous is a direct competitor in portable and vehicle-mount fire pumps for municipal and wildland firefighting, with overlapping four-stage high-pressure pump technology and a similar dealer-distribution model across North America. Both companies target the same Type 6 brush truck, Type 7, and wildland-urban interface segments.
• Hale Products: Hale Products (a division of IDEX Fire & Safety) manufactures centrifugal fire pumps for both structural and wildland apparatus, with comparable four-stage high-pressure and mid-pressure offerings. The company shares WATERAX's OEM-into-apparatus distribution motion and competes directly in the U.S. federal and municipal procurement markets.
• Darley: Darley is a U.S.-based manufacturer and distributor of firefighting pumps, including portable and skid-mounted wildland pumps, with a strong dealer network serving federal, state, and municipal agencies. Darley's product line directly overlaps WATERAX's portable fire pump and OEM vehicle-mount offerings for wildland firefighting.
• Godiva Fire Pumps: Godiva (a brand within the IDEX Fire & Safety portfolio alongside Hale) manufactures high-pressure fire pumps for wildland, industrial, and military firefighting applications. Godiva's portable and vehicle-mount wildland pumps are direct substitutes for WATERAX's MARK-3, BB-4, and STRIKER product lines.
• Mercedes Textiles: Mercedes Textiles is a Canadian manufacturer of fire hoses, nozzles, and portable fire pumps including wildland-urban interface and structural applications. The company overlaps with WATERAX in portable fire pump offerings and shares the Canadian manufacturing and North American dealer ecosystem.
• CET Fire Pumps: CET Fire Pumps (Patterson Pump Company subsidiary) manufactures centrifugal fire pumps including portable and trailer-mounted wildland firefighting units. CET's portable high-pressure pumps and skid configurations directly compete with WATERAX's MARK-3 and BB-4 product families in the North American wildland market.

Broad incumbents

• Rosenbauer International: Rosenbauer is one of the world's largest fire apparatus manufacturers, producing complete firefighting vehicles and integrated pump systems. While broader than WATERAX's portable and OEM-embedded pump focus, Rosenbauer competes in the same wildland, WUI, and municipal fire apparatus end markets, particularly in Europe.
• REV Group: REV Group is a major U.S. fire apparatus manufacturer (including E-ONE, KME, and Ferrara brands) that builds complete wildland, Type 6, and Type 7 brush trucks. REV is both a potential OEM customer of WATERAX pumps and a competitor via its integrated vehicle-and-pump offerings.
• Pierce Manufacturing: Pierce Manufacturing (a subsidiary of Oshkosh Corporation) is a leading North American fire apparatus manufacturer producing custom and commercial pumpers, wildland apparatus, and aerials. Pierce is a major OEM channel for fire pumps and competes with WATERAX for wildland and WUI apparatus contracts.

Regional players

• FireDos: FireDos is a German manufacturer of firefighting foam proportioning and water pumping equipment with a focus on wildland, industrial, and military fire protection markets in Europe. While geographically focused on Europe, FireDos competes with WATERAX in cross-border tenders for international wildland firefighting agencies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WATERAX
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/WATERAXMontr%C3%A9al
• Facebookfacebook.com/wemovewater
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/waterax-inc-
• Instagraminstagram.com/waterax_pumps

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about WATERAX