Jess
Jess Company Ltd. is a privately held Montreal-based HVAC manufacturer representative and exclusive distributor founded in 1958, representing over 20 brands across heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and humidification products for residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Quebec.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1958
- HeadquartersMontréal, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Jess does
Jess Company Ltd. (Compagnie Jess Ltée) is a privately held HVAC manufacturer representative and distributor founded in 1958 and headquartered in Saint-Laurent (Montreal), Quebec, with a sales office and counter in Laval. The company is the largest commercial and industrial ventilation equipment representative in Quebec and the largest humidifier seller in the province, holding exclusive distribution rights for Neptronic (its sister company), M.K. Plastics, Loren Cook, Tamco, Magic Aire, and Ouellet, alongside distribution partnerships with more than 20 additional HVAC brands including Flakt Group, Big Ass Fans, Sterling HVAC, CaptiveAire, and Broan/NuTone. Jess serves residential, commercial, and industrial customers primarily through mechanical contractors, control contractors, and consulting engineers, with documented project references across healthcare (CHUM), pharmaceutical (GSK), government (CBSA, STM, Ville de Montréal), and real estate (PHI).
The company's product portfolio spans heating (hot water/steam coils, electric heaters, unit heaters, air curtains, heating cables, electric baseboards, duct furnaces, make-up air units, roof-top units), air conditioning (AC units, coils, roof-top units), controls (actuators, controls, VAV boxes), humidification, and ventilation (HRV/ERV air exchangers, electronic air cleaners, fans, grilles/diffusers, jet tubes, dampers/louvers, silencers, fan coil units, commercial kitchen ventilation, indoor air quality products, accessories, and motors). Technology is conventional industrial distribution rather than proprietary IP, augmented by branded design and selection software from suppliers (Neptronic duct heater, Humidisoft, Loren Cook, Enviro-TEC Web Select, Delhi Delair) made available to engineers and contractors.
Jess operates a multi-channel go-to-market: external sales representatives visiting job sites, an internal inside-sales team handling quotes on humidifiers, electric coils, actuators, and valves, a walk-in counter at the Laval location for urgent needs, and a proprietary truck fleet for fast local delivery from the Montreal warehouse on EX Works terms. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; standard terms are 30-day net in Canadian dollars with 2% monthly interest on overdue balances. Revenue model is transactional equipment distribution with no recurring software or service subscription layer, supplemented by technical seminars, factory visits, and Lunch & Learn sessions that support specification-stage selling to consulting engineers.
Jess firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Jess
- Legal name
- Jess Company Ltd.
- Website
- https://jesshvac.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1958
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Jess Company Ltd. is a privately held Montreal-based HVAC manufacturer representative and exclusive distributor founded in 1958, representing over 20 brands across heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and humidification products for residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Quebec.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Jess industry classification
Industry- Product category
- HVAC Equipment Distribution
- NAICS
- Warm Air Heating and Air-Conditioning Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (42373), Plumbing and Heating Equipment and Supplies (Hydronics) Merchant Wholesalers (423720), Refrigeration Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (423740), Refrigeration Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (42374)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Hardware & Plumbing & Heating Equipment & Supplies (5070), Steam & Air-Conditioning Supply (4961)
- akta.pro primary industry
- HVAC, Water Heaters & Indoor Air Quality Distribution (CRAOAFAJ)
Keywords
Where Jess is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Montréal
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Jess business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- HVAC Equipment Distribution: Jess generates revenue by distributing and selling HVAC equipment from multiple manufacturer partners, including exclusive distribution rights for brands like Neptronic, M.K. Plastics, Loren Cook, Tamco, and Magic Aire. The company serves residential, commercial, and industrial markets in Quebec.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Jess product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Jess distributes and sells HVAC products for residential, commercial, and industrial markets in Quebec as an exclusive distributor and manufacturer representative for over 20 leading HVAC brands. Its offering spans heating (hot water/steam coils, electric heaters, unit heaters, air curtains, duct furnaces, heating cables, electric baseboards), air conditioning (AC units, coils, roof-top units), controls (actuators, VAV boxes), humidification, and ventilation equipment (HRV/ERV, fans, dampers/louvers, silencers, fan coil units, commercial kitchen ventilation). The company delivers fast local service through its own truck fleet, a Laval counter location, an inside sales team, outside technical sales representatives, and design/selection software.
Product overview
Jess is an HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) product distributor and representative company established in 1958 in Montreal, Quebec. Rather than manufacturing products, Jess serves as an exclusive distributor and representative for over 20 leading HVAC manufacturers, offering a comprehensive portfolio spanning heating (hot water/steam coils, electric heaters, unit heaters, air curtains, duct furnaces), air conditioning (AC units, coils, rooftop units), controls (actuators, VAV boxes), humidification, and ventilation (air exchangers/HRV/ERV, electronic air cleaners, fans, grilles/diffusers, dampers/louvers, silencers, fan coil units, commercial kitchen ventilation). As the exclusive distributor for Neptronic (humidifiers, electric heaters, actuators, valves, controls), Loren Cook (exhaust/industrial fans), Tamco (dampers), Magic Aire (fan coil units, air handlers), M.K. Plastics (fiberglass fans), and Ouellet (unit heaters, air curtains, baseboards), Jess serves residential, commercial, and industrial customers across Quebec. The company also provides complementary products through partnerships with Flakt Group, Big Ass Fans, Sterling HVAC, CaptiveAire, and many others, while offering design/selection tools and technical support services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- HVAC Product Distribution Portfolio (Heating, Cooling, Controls, Humidification, Ventilation) End-to-end HVAC product portfolio distributed through Jess as the exclusive distributor/manufacturer representative for over 20 leading HVAC brands serving residential, commercial, and industrial markets in Quebec. Includes product lines for Heating (hot water & steam coils, electric heaters, unit heaters, air curtains, heating cables, baseboards), Air Conditioning (AC units, coils, roof-top units), Controls (actuators, VAV boxes), Humidification, and Ventilation (HRV/ERV, fans, grilles/diffusers, dampers, silencers, commercial kitchen ventilation).
- HVAC Design and Selection Software Tools Online selection and design tools provided to consulting engineers and HVAC contractors for product specification, including Neptronic duct heater software, Humidisoft, Loren Cook selection, Enviro-TEC Web Select, and Delhi Delair fan selection software.
- Counter Sales at Laval Sales Office Dynamic service counter at the Laval office providing immediate HVAC equipment fulfillment for walk-in customers and urgent requests from contractors and engineers in greater Montreal.
- Jess-Owned Truck Fleet Delivery Service Proprietary Jess-owned delivery truck fleet enabling fast and reliable HVAC equipment delivery direct from the Montreal/Laval warehouses, differentiating Jess from competitors who outsource logistics.
Companies that use Jess
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Jess technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Jess partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
33 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- NeptroniccoreExclusive distributor of Neptronic products including humidifiers, electric heaters, actuators, valves, and controls. Neptronic is also a sister company of Jess.
- M.K. Plastics Corp.coreExclusive distributor for M.K. Plastics fiberglass fans, axial fans, and perchloric acid exhaust systems in Quebec.
- Loren Cook CompanycoreExclusive distributor for Loren Cook exhaust, industrial, lab exhaust, energy recovery, and supply fans in Quebec.
- TamcocoreExclusive distributor for Tamco low-leakage air-foil control dampers, UL/ULC approved smoke dampers, face and bypass dampers in Quebec.
- Magic AirecoreExclusive distributor for Magic Aire fan coil units, air handler units, and unit ventilators in Quebec.
- OuelletcoreExclusive distributor for Ouellet unit heaters, cabinet unit heaters, commercial air curtains, heating cables, and electric baseboards in Quebec HVAC market.
- Flakt GroupminorDistributor for Flakt Group jMv aerofoil axial flow fans, HT jM aerofoil fans, and JTv jet thrust fans for parking ventilation.
- WattcominorDistributor for Wattco explosion-proof duct heaters for hazardous environments.
- UVDIminorDistributor for UVDI V-PAC air purification systems for large commercial HVAC, V-MAX GRID for air handling units, and V-MAX for in-duct air disinfection.
- ClimetecminorDistributor for Climetec vertical riser fan coils and vertical/horizontal console fan coils.
- KruegerminorDistributor for Krueger grilles, registers, plenum slot diffusers, terminal units, and fan coils.
- Broan/NutoneminorPartner for Broan bath/ventilation fans, central vacuum systems, range hoods, and Nutone products in Quebec.
- Canarm/LFIminorPartner for Canarm/LFI blowers and fans. Contributing to Jess being the biggest seller of fans in Quebec.
- Comfort StarminorPartner for Comfort Star ductless heat pumps.
- Duro DyneminorPartner for Duro Dyne flexible connectors, hardware, duct accessories, sealers & adhesives, and insulation fasteners.
- MEPminorPartner for MEP electric motors and AC/DC variable speed drives.
- Cimatec/InnerEcominorPartner for Cimatec/InnerEco electronic air filters.
- GrippleminorPartner for Gripple suspension cable systems.
- Direct CoilminorPartner for Direct Coil chilled water coils, DX coils, hot water coils, and steam coils.
- AirVectorminorPartner for AirVector grilles and diffusers.
- United EnertechminorPartner for United Enertech dampers and louvers.
- Vibra-SilminorPartner for Vibra-Sil silencers and spring isolators.
- Filtration LabminorPartner for Filtration Lab air filters.
- FantechminorPartner for Fantech HRV/ERV systems. Contributing to Jess being the biggest seller of fans in Quebec.
- Big Ass FansminorPartner for Big Ass Fans overhead fans, directional fans, evaporative coolers, and heaters.
- AirtecnicsminorPartner for Airtecnics commercial, industrial, and architectural air curtains.
- CaptiveAireminorPartner for CaptiveAire makeup air systems (indirect fired, direct fired, electric), commercial kitchen ventilation, and Paragon roof-top units.
- RosenbergminorPartner for Rosenberg retrofit ECFanGrid and modular EC fan products.
- Sterling (HVAC)minorPartner for Sterling steam & hot water unit heaters, gas-fired unit heaters, infrared unit heaters, duct furnaces, and makeup air units.
- EnvirowireminorPartner for Cometal louvers and penthouses in Quebec.
- Tuttle & BaileyminorPartner for Tuttle & Bailey grilles, registers, plenum slot diffusers, and terminal units.
- Enviro-TECminorPartner for Enviro-TEC VAV (Variable Air Volume) systems with Web Select software for product selection.
- LJ-WingminorPartner for LJ-Wing steam/hot water unit heaters, integral face & bypass coils, and multi-header vertical coils.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Jess competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Carrier Enterprise Canada: Carrier Enterprise is the HVAC distribution arm of Carrier in Canada, distributing Carrier, Payne, and affiliated HVAC brands to dealers and contractors. Directly comparable as an HVAC equipment wholesaler combining brand exclusivity and broad product portfolio with technical sales/service support.
- Refrigeration Levesque / Refrigeration Quebec distributors: Quebec-based refrigeration and HVAC equipment distributors serving commercial kitchens, food retail, and industrial cold-storage customers. Directly comparable to Jess in the Quebec refrigeration/HVAC wholesale segment with overlapping brand partnerships (CaptiveAire-style commercial kitchen ventilation).
- CoolTech Distributors (Quebec): Quebec-based HVAC distribution and equipment suppliers serving residential, commercial, and light-industrial customers. Comparable to Jess in regional HVAC distribution with overlapping product categories (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) and a Quebec-focused service territory.
- Le Groupe Master (Master Mechanical / Master Group): Master is a major Quebec-based distributor of HVAC, plumbing, and refrigeration equipment serving commercial, industrial, and institutional customers. Comparable to Jess as a multi-brand mechanical distributor in the same province, competing for the same engineering-specified projects and contractor relationships.
- Air Solutions / Climat Confort (Quebec independents): Quebec-based HVAC and ventilation equipment distributors serving the residential and light-commercial markets with manufacturer representation and counter sales. Comparable to Jess as a regional multi-brand rep with overlapping heating, cooling, and ventilation product categories.
Broad incumbents
- Watsco Inc. Watsco is the largest U.S. distributor of HVAC equipment, refrigeration, and plumbing products, operating through regional distribution centers. Comparable to Jess as a multi-brand HVAC and refrigeration distributor relying on exclusive and preferred relationships with leading manufacturers.
- Trane Canada (Trane Technologies): Trane is a global HVAC manufacturer and distributor with direct Canadian presence selling commercial HVAC systems, controls, and services. Comparable to Jess in the commercial/industrial ventilation and air-handling categories, though operating at much larger scale and as a manufacturer-distributor rather than independent rep.
- Ferguson Enterprises: Ferguson is the largest U.S. distributor of plumbing, HVAC, and waterworks products serving contractors through an extensive branch network. Comparable to Jess as a complementary-product distributor (HVAC + adjacent categories) supplying mechanical contractors and engineering accounts.
Regional players
- Sigma-HVAC (Canadian distributor): Sigma-HVAC is a Canadian HVAC and refrigeration equipment distributor with multi-province coverage serving commercial and industrial customers. Comparable to Jess as an HVAC-focused distributor with multi-brand portfolio and technical specification support, though with broader geographic reach outside Quebec.
Emerging players
- CaptiveAire Systems: CaptiveAire is a U.S. manufacturer of commercial kitchen ventilation and make-up air systems that also distributes through regional partners including Jess. Comparable in product overlap (kitchen exhaust, makeup air, rooftop units) and as a partner of Jess in the Quebec market, though direct-channel expansion could become a competing threat.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Jess social profiles
Digital presenceJess financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Jess leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Jess funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Jess 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 Jess
What does Jess do?
Jess distributes and sells HVAC products for residential, commercial, and industrial markets in Quebec as an exclusive distributor and manufacturer representative for over 20 leading HVAC brands. Its offering spans heating (hot water/steam coils, electric heaters, unit heaters, air curtains, duct furnaces, heating cables, electric baseboards), air conditioning (AC units, coils, roof-top units), controls (actuators, VAV boxes), humidification, and ventilation equipment (HRV/ERV, fans, dampers/louvers, silencers, fan coil units, commercial kitchen ventilation). The company delivers fast local service through its own truck fleet, a Laval counter location, an inside sales team, outside technical sales representatives, and design/selection software.
Is Jess a public or private company?
Jess is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Jess founded?
Jess was founded in 1958. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Jess based?
Jess is headquartered in Montréal, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Jess make money?
One revenue line is on record: HVAC Equipment Distribution.
Who are Jess's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Carrier Enterprise Canada, Refrigeration Levesque / Refrigeration Quebec distributors, CoolTech Distributors (Quebec), Le Groupe Master (Master Mechanical / Master Group) and Air Solutions / Climat Confort (Quebec independents). Broad incumbents are Watsco Inc., Trane Canada (Trane Technologies) and Ferguson Enterprises. Sigma-HVAC (Canadian distributor) is listed as a regional player. CaptiveAire Systems is listed as an emerging player.
Does Jess have an API?
No public API is recorded for Jess.
What industry is Jess in?
Jess's product category is HVAC Equipment Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAOAFAJ, HVAC, Water Heaters & Indoor Air Quality Distribution. Its NAICS code is 42373 and its SIC code is 5070.