Neelands Group

What Neelands Group does

Neelands Group Limited is a privately held, family-owned Canadian commercial mechanical services company founded in 1957 in Burlington, Ontario, now operating as a full-service provider of refrigeration, HVAC, building automation controls (BAS), and energy management solutions across Canada (primarily Ontario) and the U.S. Southeast. The company operates four offices — Burlington and Collingwood in Canada plus Winter Haven, Florida and Doraville, Georgia in the United States — supported by 200+ service technicians providing 24/7/365 coverage with average 2-3 hour response times.

The company's technology stack combines CO2 transcritical and cascade refrigeration systems (125+ installed since Neelands became the first Canadian company to specialize in CO2 in 2010), Combined Cooling, Heating and Power (CCHP) microturbine systems delivering 65-80% efficiency, and a proprietary cloud-based analytics platform called Kalder (launched 2016) that integrates with Micro Thermo MT Alliance, Emerson E2, Danfoss Adap-Kool, Reliable Controls, and Novar control systems for predictive maintenance, anomaly detection, and energy optimization across connected store fleets. Equipment sales are delivered through authorized dealer relationships with OEMs including Hill Phoenix, Cayuga Displays, Keeprite, Heatcraft, Guntner, RefPlus, Kooljet, Lennox, York, and Carrier.

Neelands generates revenue through six streams: (1) project-based refrigeration and HVAC design-build-installation for supermarkets, cold storage, and food distribution; (2) recurring service and maintenance contracts; (3) hardware/equipment sales through OEM partnerships; (4) Kalder subscription/analytics services; (5) controls and BAS integration; and (6) CHP/CCHP project work. Customer concentration sits in the grocery/food retail vertical, with named enterprise relationships including Longo's (Canada's first Near Net Zero supermarket at Stouffville), Sobeys (250+ stores connected to Kalder, FY2025 retrofit across ~100 sites), Loblaws, Kroger, Costco, Walmart, Metro, and six U.S. military commissaries. The company is privately held under the leadership of President Noel Neelands, with COO Jim Bethune, VP of Energy and Digital Services Ady Vyas, and CFO Kathryn McIsaac, and is committed to operating at full Net Zero by 2030.

Name

Neelands Group

Legal name

Neelands Group Limited

Website

https://neelands.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1957

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Burlington

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Refrigeration Design, Construction & Installation: Full design, installation, and construction of commercial refrigeration systems for supermarkets, cold storage warehouses, and food distribution facilities. Includes CO2, standard DX, and cascade systems. Revenue is project-based, typically one-time with potential for follow-on maintenance.
2. HVAC Design, Construction & Installation: Design, installation, and servicing of commercial, industrial, institutional, and condominium HVAC systems including rooftop units, boilers, chillers, building automation, and controls.
3. Service & Maintenance: 24/7/365 service and maintenance contracts for refrigeration, HVAC, BAS, controls, and energy management systems. With over 200 technicians across Canada and the U.S. Southeast. Revenue is recurring through service contracts and T&M (time and materials) for ad hoc repairs.
4. Equipment Sales: Sale of refrigeration and HVAC equipment including refrigerated display cases, compressor racks, condensing units, evaporator coils, gas coolers, and HVAC equipment from OEM partners such as Hill Phoenix, Cayuga Displays, Keeprite, Heatcraft, Guntner, RefPlus, Kooljet, Lennox, York, Carrier, and more.
5. Energy Management & Performance Analytics (Kalder): Proprietary Kalder software providing refrigeration performance analytics, remote monitoring, and energy optimization. Generates recurring revenue through software monitoring, consultation, training, and support services.
6. Controls & BAS Integration: Design, supply, and integration of building automation and control systems for refrigeration and HVAC. Provides real-time monitoring of energy usage, mechanical operations, performance, and maintenance scheduling.
7. Combined Heat and Power (CHP/CCHP) Systems: CHP and CCHP systems design, installation, and service using microturbines. Cogeneration repurpose lost heat back into building systems. Neelands integrates with CO2 technologies and absorption chillers for tri-gen mode up to 80% efficiency.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Neelands Group is a turnkey commercial refrigeration, HVAC, controls, and energy management provider that designs, builds, services, and monitors systems for food retail (grocery/supermarket chains), food distribution/cold storage, and commercial-industrial customers across Canada and the U.S. Southeast. Offerings span design-build-install-maintain of CO2 transcritical, cascade, and standard refrigeration systems, commercial HVAC and BAS, 24/7 service via 200+ technicians, equipment sales from leading OEMs (Hill Phoenix, Keeprite, Carrier, Lennox), and the proprietary Kalder IoT/analytics software platform for ongoing performance monitoring and energy optimization.

Product overview

Neelands Group operates as a comprehensive refrigeration, HVAC, controls, and energy management solutions provider rather than a single unified product. The company offers an integrated portfolio of service divisions including a Refrigeration Division (covering design, construction, CO2 technology, refrigerated display cases, and food distribution), an HVAC Division (covering design, construction, and condominium HVAC), Controls & BAS (building automation systems using Micro Thermo, Emerson, Danfoss, Reliable Controls, and Novar platforms), Energy Management (including Kalder analytics software, CHP/CCHP systems, and energy audits), Equipment Sales (selling and installing equipment from Hill Phoenix, Kooljet, CES, and other OEM manufacturers), Service & Maintenance (with over 200 technicians), and a Sustainability division focused on Net Zero solutions. The proprietary Kalder software platform (launched 2016) serves as the analytical layer across the portfolio, enabling IoT cloud data collection, critical alarm monitoring, and performance optimization for connected refrigeration and HVAC systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kalder: Proprietary refrigeration performance, analytics and monitoring software established in 2016

Products and services

• Refrigeration Design, Construction & Installation Services End-to-end design, construction, and installation of commercial refrigeration systems for supermarkets, refrigerated warehouses, and food distribution facilities. Includes floorplan design, refrigeration, plumbing, electrical, condensers/compressors, display cases, walk-ins, controls, and systems integration. Targets enterprise grocers, food retailers, and cold-storage operators.
• Kalder Performance Analytics Software Proprietary IoT cloud refrigeration performance, analytics, and monitoring software providing 24/7 remote data collection, critical alarm monitoring, remote access management, intelligent monitoring, and web-based performance dashboards. Established in 2016 under the company name PBN and serves food retail and cold storage clients for proactive maintenance, energy savings, and equipment failure prevention. Connected across 250+ Sobeys stores and other major accounts.
• CO2 Refrigeration Systems Natural-refrigerant commercial refrigeration systems including transcritical CO2, cascade, and CO2 computer room A/C systems. Neelands was the first Canadian company to specialize in CO2 technology (2010) and has installed 125+ transcritical CO2 systems, including Canada's first Net Zero supermarket (Longo's Stouffville).
• HVAC Design, Construction & Service Concept-to-design, construction, service and maintenance for commercial, industrial, institutional, and condominium HVAC clients across North America. Specializes in controls, building automation systems (BAS), rooftop packaged units, make-up air units, exhaust systems, heat pumps, chillers, and energy/cost-efficiency retrofits.
• Controls & BAS Integration Building automation and control systems integrating, monitoring, and managing mechanical systems including refrigeration, HVAC, lighting, energy, anti-sweat controls, and load shedding. Supports Micro Thermo, Emerson E2, Danfoss Adap-Kool, Reliable Controls, and Novar platforms.
• Service & Maintenance Contracts 24/7/365 refrigeration, HVAC, controls, BAS, and energy management service via 200+ technicians across Ontario and the U.S. Southeast with average response deployment time of 2-3 hours. Includes recommissioning (RCx) services delivering 5-30% energy savings in existing buildings.
• Equipment Sales Sale of refrigeration and HVAC equipment from leading OEM manufacturers including Hill Phoenix display cases, Keeprite multi-racks, Cayuga Displays, Kooljet self-contained systems, Heatcraft, Guntner, RefPlus, Reliable Controls, Consolidated Energy Solutions Multi-Path dehumidification, Lennox, York, Carrier, and Engineered Air. Equipment is bundled with installation services or sold standalone.
• Combined Heat & Power (CHP) and Combined Cooling, Heating & Power (CCHP) Systems Cogeneration systems using microturbines that recover lost heat and energy from power generation for building heating, cooling, or other needs. CHP systems operate at 65-75% efficiency; tri-gen mode integrated with absorption chillers reaches up to 80% efficiency. Includes partnerships with Vergent Power Solutions and World Energy. Flagship project: Strack & Van Til 130 kW microturbine CCHP (2024 Midwest Clean Energy Project Award winner).
• Energy Audits Comprehensive energy audits employing the International Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP) to identify energy-efficiency opportunities, leveraging Kalder analytics and automation for granular system performance data. Targets commercial-industrial and institutional customers of all sizes, often tied to multi-year measurement and verification contracts.
• Food Distribution Refrigeration Refrigeration design, construction, and service for food distribution facilities using CO2 systems, rooftop Kooljet systems, centralized multi-rack systems, and transcritical CO2 systems for large food distribution projects.
• Refrigerated Display Cases Custom-designed, delivered, and installed refrigerated display cases for food retail, warehouses, convenience stores, hospitals, universities, drug stores, and beer/wine retail. Delivered in partnership with manufacturers Hill Phoenix and Cayuga Displays across service/self-service, multi-deck shelving, curved and lift-glass profiles, and specialty configurations.
• Condominium HVAC Services HVAC servicing, maintenance, and new installation for condominiums, multi-residential, and multi-use buildings. Includes boilers, chillers, cooling towers, controls, ERV/HRV units, exhaust fans, fan coils, heat pumps, rooftop units, pool dehumidification, VFDs, post-construction reviews, warranty and deficiency reporting, and Tarion warranty representation. Approximately 80 condominium service contracts.
• Sustainability Solutions Environmentally conscious refrigeration and HVAC solutions including CO2 natural refrigerant technology, combined heat and power systems, sustainable refrigeration systems, heat recovery, water pre-heat, underslab heating, net-zero facility planning, sustainability strategic planning, incentive consulting, and government-grant navigation. Neelands is committed to operating at full Net Zero by 2030.

Quantifiable outcome

• 26% energy consumption reduction (182,000 kWh/year) at Longo's Brampton store
• +11 more outcomes

Named customers29 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

AI capability6 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Hill PhoenixcoreOthersHill Phoenix is a leading manufacturer of display cases, specialty products, commercial refrigeration systems, power systems, and comprehensive services serving supermarket, convenience store, dollar discount, drug, food service, mass merchandiser, membership and warehouse food retail segments. Neelands is an Authorized Ontario dealer for Hill Phoenix (following its purchase of Tyler Refrigeration in 2009). Neelands sells, designs and installs Hill Phoenix refrigerated display cases.
• Micro Thermo TechnologiescoreTechnology or IntegrationFounded in 1986, Micro Thermo provides control and energy management systems for supermarket applications. MT Alliance software platform installed in 2,500+ stores across North America. Neelands is a proud member of the Micro Thermo Alliance and an Authorized dealer (since 1991). Micro Thermo provides the monitoring and control system for Neelands' projects including Longo's warehouse expansion.
• Reliable ControlsmajorTechnology or IntegrationReliable Controls specializes in designing and manufacturing Internet-connected building controls and building automation controls (BAS/DDC/BMS). Their MACH-System monitors and controls mechanical/HVAC and electrical/lighting equipment. Neelands pairs Reliable Controls with Kooljet equipment for extraordinary results. Listed as a vendor choice for controls integration.
• Consolidated Energy Solutions (CES)majorTechnology or IntegrationCES's Multi-Path RTU is the only system designed specifically for supermarket space conditioning requirements. Patented air damper sequencing dynamically adjusts all air stream paths for energy savings. Neelands is an Authorized dealer for CES Dual Path (since 1998) and provides CES dehumidification service and repair. Preferred vendor for dual path systems.
• KooljetmajorOthersKooljet provides self-contained, one-piece, packaged refrigeration systems with cutting-edge technology and reduced maintenance. Neelands provides Kooljet reliable refrigeration systems to customers and pairs Kooljet equipment with Reliable Controls. Kooljet equipment enables free-cooling mode solutions (e.g., Brimich Logistics savings of $180,880/year without compressors 50% of the year).
• Vergent Power SolutionscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnered with Neelands on Strack & Van Til's 130 kW microturbine CCHP system. Vergent Power developed and installed the CCHP system using natural gas to generate power and capture waste heat for the building. Project won the 2024 Midwest Clean Energy Project Award.
• EMCOR Hyre Electric Co.majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerElectrical contractor partner on Strack & Van Til CCHP project. Contributed to the implementation of dual-mode controls enabling seamless transitions between grid-connected and standalone operation during power outages.
• Martin Mechanical ContractorsmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMechanical contractor partner on Strack & Van Til CCHP project, working alongside Neelands as general contractor.
• Vergent PowermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Neelands to develop and install a CCHP system for a Scarborough condo building. Natural gas efficiently generates power while capturing waste heat for building use. Expected to reduce heating bills by 35%. Partnership demonstrates Neelands' CHP/CCHP capabilities in the building sector.
• World EnergyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Neelands and Vergent Power to develop and install CCHP system for Scarborough condo building.
• Re-Con Construction Inc.minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction partner for Olive Branch Kosher Market HVAC project in Thornhill, Ontario. Neelands delivered advanced HVAC solutions including fan coil units, dehumidification, and complex ductwork.
• Cayuga DisplaysmajorOthersPreferred vendor for refrigerated display cases including standard and specialty displays. Neelands works closely with Cayuga to design, deliver, and install custom refrigerated display cases for clients. Serves food retail, warehouse, convenience store, hospital, university, drug store, and beer/wine retail.
• KeepritemajorOthersPreferred vendor for mechanical systems including multi-racks, distributed systems, and CO2 systems. Neelands specifies Keeprite equipment as part of its preferred vendor portfolio for commercial refrigeration.
• HeatcraftmajorOthersPreferred vendor for condensing units, rooftop condensers, gas coolers, and evaporator coils. Heatcraft products specified in Neelands' refrigeration solutions and equipment sales.
• GuntnermajorOthersPreferred vendor for condensing units, rooftop condensers, gas coolers, and evaporator coils. Guntner specified in Neelands' CO2 and standard refrigeration systems.
• RefPlusmajorOthersPreferred vendor for condensing units, rooftop condensers, gas coolers, and evaporator coils. RefPlus equipment included in Neelands' equipment sales and installation solutions.
• LennoxmajorOthersHVAC equipment supplier partnered with Neelands for rooftop packaged HVAC units, split A/C and heat pump systems, and other commercial HVAC products.
• York (by Johnson Controls)majorOthersHVAC equipment supplier. Neelands facilitates design, installation, sales and service of York products including rooftop units and other commercial HVAC equipment.
• CarriermajorOthersHVAC equipment supplier. Neelands provides Carrier commercial HVAC equipment as part of its comprehensive equipment sales offering.
• Engineered AirminorOthersHVAC equipment supplier partnered with Neelands. Provides products including make-up air units for commercial and industrial applications.
• Exergy Associates Ltd.coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnered with Neelands Group on Sobeys Refrigeration Retrofit Project across Canada. Neelands implemented customized retrofit packages to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and optimize energy use. Working with contractors nationwide, nearly 100 Sobeys locations were retrofitted in fiscal year 2025.
• ASHRAEminorOthersAmerican Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. Industry association member providing standards, research, and professional development in HVAC/R. Neelands is a member.
• HRAIminorOthersHeating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada. Industry trade association for HVAC/R industry in Canada. Neelands is a member.
• 3NDAminorOthers3NDA trade association. Neelands is a member and their logo appears on the company's About page.
• ACMOminorOthersAssociation of Condominium Managers of Ontario. Industry association supporting condo management professionals. Neelands HVAC division serves condominiums and is a member of ACMO.

Scale indicators21 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Hillphoenix: Leading North American manufacturer of commercial refrigeration systems, display cases, and power systems for food retail. Both a key OEM partner to Neelands and a competitor in large supermarket installations.
• EMCOR Group: Large mechanical and electrical construction and services firm with commercial HVAC, refrigeration, and energy services for U.S. enterprise customers. Comparable enterprise field-sales and recurring service model, at much larger scale.
• Carrier Commercial Refrigeration: Global refrigeration and HVAC manufacturer and service provider serving supermarkets, cold storage, and food retail. Competes with Neelands across equipment sales, controls, and service, though at vastly greater scale.
• Trane Technologies: Global HVAC and building controls incumbent serving commercial and industrial customers. Overlaps with Neelands' HVAC division, building automation, and energy management offerings as part of a broader portfolio.
• Hussmann (Panasonic): Global manufacturer and servicer of commercial refrigeration and display cases for food retail. Overlaps with Neelands' display case and supermarket refrigeration business but operates at much greater scale across North America.
• Johnson Controls: Global building technology company with HVAC, controls, and energy management solutions. Overlaps with Neelands' BAS, energy management, and commercial HVAC service offerings through its York and meta-controls brands.

Regional players

• Refrigeration Systems Construction: U.S. commercial refrigeration contractor serving grocery, cold storage, and food distribution customers, primarily in the western U.S. Comparable turnkey refrigeration delivery model to Neelands, though in a different regional footprint.

Direct peers

• Black & McDonald: Canadian multi-trade mechanical and electrical services firm with HVAC, refrigeration, and building automation capabilities serving commercial, industrial, and institutional clients. Comparable scale and enterprise service model to Neelands.
• Ainsworth Inc. Canadian mechanical and electrical contractor delivering HVAC, building automation, and energy services for commercial and industrial customers. Overlaps with Neelands' HVAC division, BAS integration, and recurring service model.
• CIMCO Refrigeration: Major Canadian commercial refrigeration contractor serving supermarkets, food distribution, and cold storage with design-build and service capabilities across Canada. Closest direct competitor to Neelands' core refrigeration and CO2 technology business.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NeelandsG
• Facebookfacebook.com/neelandsgroup

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Neelands Group