WAT Supplies
WAT Supplies is a Canadian regional distributor of food service packaging, janitorial supplies, cleaning chemicals, paper products, and industrial supplies, serving food service, hospitality, cleaning, and institutional customers across Northern and Central Ontario via cash-and-carry warehouse, e-commerce, phone, and delivery channels.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersGarson, Canada
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What WAT Supplies does
WAT Supplies is a privately held Canadian regional distributor of paper products, janitorial supplies, cleaning chemicals, food service packaging, commercial appliances, and industrial supplies, founded in 1989 in Copper Cliff, Ontario and now headquartered at 80 National Street, Unit A, Garson, Ontario. The company operates a hybrid B2B/B2C model spanning 14 product categories — Cleaning Chemicals, Coffee & Tea, Commercial Appliances, Food & Beverage, Food Service & Packaging, Hand Hygiene, Industrial Supplies, Janitorial Equipment, Janitorial Supplies, Hospitality, Paper & Dispensers, Safety & First Aid, Seasonal, and Shipping Supplies — supplemented by branded packaging customization and value-added services including delivery, repairs and maintenance, training, and consultation. Customers access WAT through a public cash-and-carry warehouse, a full e-commerce storefront at shop.watsupplies.com, phone ordering, and delivery routes covering Northern and Central Ontario, with the Greater Sudbury area as the primary market.
The business sells and distributes rather than manufactures, and the source material explicitly classifies its core technology as not applicable; the company is positioned as a logistics, assortment, and service provider rather than a software or technology vendor. Pricing is quote-based across all channels, with no public price lists, and revenue is generated through one-time product sales, repeat consumable replenishment, custom packaging orders, and ancillary service fees. The customer base spans food service operators, hospitality and lodging providers, commercial and industrial cleaning services, educational institutions running student nutrition programs, and general commercial and institutional buyers, with key third-party brand relationships including Keurig Canada, Makita Canada, Georgia-Pacific, Dustbane Products, Heritage Coffee Company, and The Butcher Shoppe. WAT is independently owned, employs between 101 and 250 people, celebrated its 35th anniversary in November 2024, and shows no evidence of external investment, M&A, or public listing activity in the available data.
WAT Supplies firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- WAT Supplies
- Legal name
- WAT Supplies
- Website
- https://watsupplies.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- WAT Supplies is a Canadian regional distributor of food service packaging, janitorial supplies, cleaning chemicals, paper products, and industrial supplies, serving food service, hospitality, cleaning, and institutional customers across Northern and Central Ontario via cash-and-carry warehouse, e-commerce, phone, and delivery channels.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
WAT Supplies industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Janitorial and Food Service Distribution
- NAICS
- Industrial and Personal Service Paper Merchant Wholesalers (424130), Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (42385)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Paper & Paper Products (5110), Wholesale-Professional & Commercial Equipment & Supplies (5040)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Foodservice / Restaurant Supply Distribution Centers (TLALAEAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Paper, Tissue, Wipers & Dispensers Distribution (CRAOAGAC), Coffee & Tea Service Supplies Wholesale (AFAIALAH), Foodservice & Kitchen Cleaning (Warewashing) Distribution (CRAOAGAH), Janitorial & Sanitation Supplies (Foodservice) Wholesale (AFAIALAD)
Keywords
Where WAT Supplies is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Garson
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
WAT Supplies business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Product Sales: WAT Supplies generates revenue through the sale of food service packaging, coffee and tea, cleaning chemicals, janitorial supplies, industrial supplies, commercial appliances, and hospitality products. Sales occur through physical warehouse (cash-and-carry), e-commerce online store, phone orders, and delivery services. The company offers branded packaging customization services as an additional revenue stream.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Quote-based pricing for business and consumer customers |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
WAT Supplies product offering
Product offeringCore offering
WAT Supplies distributes food service packaging, coffee and tea, cleaning chemicals, janitorial equipment and supplies, hospitality products, paper products, commercial appliances, and industrial supplies through a physical cash-and-carry warehouse in Garson, Ontario, an e-commerce storefront, phone ordering, and regional delivery across Northern and Central Ontario. The company serves both commercial customers (food service operators, cleaning services, hospitality facilities) and individual consumers, with branded packaging customization as a value-added service.
Product overview
WAT Supplies is a food service packaging, coffee, and cleaning supplies provider founded in 1989 in Copper Cliff, Ontario. The company operates a B2B/B2C e-commerce platform alongside a physical warehouse cash-and-carry location in Garson, Ontario, serving businesses across Northern and Central Ontario. Its product portfolio is organized as a broad multi-category distribution model with 14 core product categories — Cleaning Chemicals, Coffee & Tea, Commercial Appliances, Food & Beverage, Food Service & Packaging, Hand Hygiene, Industrial Supplies, Janitorial Equipment, Janitorial Supplies, Hospitality, Paper & Dispensers, Safety & First Aid, Seasonal, and Shipping Supplies — complemented by branded packaging customization services and a community Good Food 4 Kids program. The company supplements product sales with value-added services including delivery, in-store pickup, repairs & maintenance, training, and consultation. Key brands carried include Keurig Canada, Makita Canada, Georgia-Pacific, Dustbane Products, Heritage Coffee Company, and The Butcher Shoppe, among others.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Cleaning Chemicals
Companies that use WAT Supplies
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
WAT Supplies technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
WAT Supplies partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights6 records
WAT Supplies competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Uline: Uline is a major North American distributor of shipping, industrial, and janitorial supplies with strong direct e-commerce capabilities and transparent pricing. Comparable to WAT Supplies on shipping supplies, industrial supplies, and janitorial categories, with a digital-first model that contrasts WAT's quote-based approach.
- Sysco Canada: Sysco is the largest North American foodservice distributor, serving restaurants, healthcare, and hospitality with broad-line food and foodservice supplies. A broad incumbent competitor to WAT Supplies in foodservice distribution, though Sysco operates at vastly greater scale and a broader geographic footprint.
- Gordon Food Service Canada: Gordon Food Service is a broadline foodservice distributor operating across Canada with a wide catalog of food, beverages, and foodservice supplies. Overlaps with WAT Supplies on foodservice packaging, coffee, and supply categories for restaurants and institutions.
- EcoLab Canada: Ecolab is a global leader in water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions, distributing cleaning chemicals and sanitation supplies to commercial customers. Comparable to WAT Supplies on cleaning chemicals and janitorial categories, though at vastly greater scale with vertically integrated manufacturing.
Direct peers
- Imperial Dade: Imperial Dade is one of North America's largest distributors of foodservice packaging, janitorial/sanitation (JanSan), and commercial cleaning supplies. Highly comparable to WAT Supplies due to overlapping product categories, B2B foodservice and cleaning customer base, and multi-channel distribution approach.
- Bunzl Canada: Bunzl Canada is a major distributor of cleaning, hygiene, foodservice packaging, and industrial supplies to businesses across Canada. It is a direct peer given its overlapping product categories (paper, janitorial, foodservice packaging, safety) and B2B distribution model, though at significantly greater national scale.
- Dustbane Products: Dustbane Products is a Canadian manufacturer and distributor of cleaning chemicals and janitorial supplies. Already carried by WAT Supplies, Dustbane is a direct comparable in cleaning/janitorial distribution with overlapping B2B cleaning services customer base.
Emerging players
- Cash & Carry (various independent Canadian foodservice distributors): Cash & Carry style foodservice distributors operate small-format warehouse outlets selling restaurant supplies to foodservice operators. Direct overlap with WAT Supplies' cash-and-carry warehouse model and SMB foodservice customer segment.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
WAT Supplies social profiles
Digital presenceWAT Supplies financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
WAT Supplies leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
WAT Supplies funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
WAT Supplies M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about WAT Supplies
What does WAT Supplies do?
WAT Supplies distributes food service packaging, coffee and tea, cleaning chemicals, janitorial equipment and supplies, hospitality products, paper products, commercial appliances, and industrial supplies through a physical cash-and-carry warehouse in Garson, Ontario, an e-commerce storefront, phone ordering, and regional delivery across Northern and Central Ontario. The company serves both commercial customers (food service operators, cleaning services, hospitality facilities) and individual consumers, with branded packaging customization as a value-added service.
Is WAT Supplies a public or private company?
WAT Supplies is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was WAT Supplies founded?
WAT Supplies was founded in 1989. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is WAT Supplies based?
WAT Supplies is headquartered in Garson, Canada, in the North America region.
How does WAT Supplies make money?
One revenue line is on record: product Sales.
Who are WAT Supplies's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Uline, Sysco Canada, Gordon Food Service Canada and EcoLab Canada. Direct peers are Imperial Dade, Bunzl Canada and Dustbane Products. Cash & Carry (various independent Canadian foodservice distributors) is listed as an emerging player.
Does WAT Supplies have an API?
No public API is recorded for WAT Supplies.
What industry is WAT Supplies in?
WAT Supplies's product category is Janitorial and Food Service Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLALAEAJ, Foodservice / Restaurant Supply Distribution Centers, with a secondary code of CRAOAGAC, Paper, Tissue, Wipers & Dispensers Distribution. Its NAICS code is 424130 and its SIC code is 5110.