Heli Canada
Heli Canada is the exclusive Canadian distributor of Anhui HELI forklifts, supplying electric, lithium-ion, internal combustion, heavy-duty, and AGV material handling equipment through 30+ authorized dealers nationwide from Drummondville and Mississauga facilities.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersDrummondville, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Heli Canada does
Heli Canada is the exclusive Canadian distributor of Anhui HELI Co. Ltd — a top-10 global forklift manufacturer founded in 1958 in China — supplying a broad portfolio of material handling equipment to Canadian businesses. The catalog spans electric forklifts (including lithium-ion battery models with built-in chargers), internal combustion forklifts (diesel, LPG, dual fuel), rough terrain units, heavy-duty forklifts rated 25,000-40,000 lbs, aerial work platforms, reach trucks, electric pallet jacks and stackers, order pickers (including VNA), tow tractors, and port/container equipment, alongside a 2024-launched AGV/automation line. The customer base spans warehouse operations, manufacturing, logistics, HVAC, glass manufacturing, and port/intermodal applications.
The business model is a hardware-led distributor model monetized through quote-based equipment sales routed exclusively through 30+ authorized dealers across all Canadian provinces, with secondary revenue from parts, accessories, service, and warranty contracts. Distribution and support infrastructure is anchored by a 35,000 sq ft headquarters and warehouse in Drummondville, Quebec (opened March 2024) and a 30,000 sq ft distribution, showroom, and training facility in Mississauga, Ontario (opened October 2024). Sales operations are supported by regional National Business Development Managers covering Quebec/Atlantic, Ontario, and BC/Alberta/Saskatchewan/Manitoba. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed.
The company's roots in Canada trace to 2006 via Techlift sub-dealer activity in Quebec; exclusive Canadian distribution rights were granted in 2012. The dealer network expanded from 24 authorized dealers across 9 provinces in 2018 to 30+ in 2024, with company-reported sales growing roughly fivefold between 2018 and 2024. Heli Canada is privately held, led by President Guillaume Joyal, has no disclosed venture or private equity funding, and operates as a going concern with active 2025-2026 dealer additions and trade press coverage.
Heli Canada firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Heli Canada
- Legal name
- Heli Canada
- Website
- https://heliforklift.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Heli Canada is the exclusive Canadian distributor of Anhui HELI forklifts, supplying electric, lithium-ion, internal combustion, heavy-duty, and AGV material handling equipment through 30+ authorized dealers nationwide from Drummondville and Mississauga facilities.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Heli Canada industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Material Handling Equipment
- NAICS
- Motor Vehicle Supplies and New Parts Merchant Wholesalers (42312), Construction and Mining (except Oil Well) Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers (423810)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Industrial Machinery & Equipment (5084), Wholesale-Machinery, Equipment & Supplies (5080), Wholesale-Motor Vehicle Supplies & New Parts (5013)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Commercial Vehicle Parts Distribution (Heavy-Duty Truck/Bus) (TLAKAOAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Automotive Aftermarket Parts Distribution (Light-Duty) (TLAKAOAA), Heavy-duty truck, trailer & commercial vehicle parts distribution (CRAOANAJ)
Keywords
Where Heli Canada is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Drummondville
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Heli Canada business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Forklift Sales: Sale of new forklifts including electric, lithium, internal combustion, and heavy duty models through dealer network
- Parts and Accessories: Sale of replacement parts, attachments, and accessories through parts department and dealers
- Service and Warranty: Service support, warranty services, and technical support provided through dealer network
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Complete forklift units sold through dealer network with quote-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Heli Canada product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Heli Canada is the exclusive Canadian distributor of Anhui HELI Co. Ltd, selling a full line of forklifts (electric, lithium-ion, internal combustion, rough terrain, heavy duty), warehouse trucks (pallet jacks, stackers, reach trucks, order pickers), aerial work platforms, AGV automation, tow tractors, and port/container equipment. Sales, service, warranty, and parts support are delivered through a network of 30+ authorized dealers across Canada, backed by warehouses in Drummondville, QC and Mississauga, ON.
Product overview
Heli Canada operates as a comprehensive material handling equipment provider offering a diversified portfolio of forklifts and warehouse equipment as the exclusive Canadian distributor of Anhui HELI Co. Ltd, a top 10 global forklift manufacturer with over 60 years of experience. The product portfolio centers on electric forklifts (including four-wheel and three-wheel variants with cushion and pneumatic tires) and internal combustion forklifts (diesel, LPG, dual fuel), complemented by specialized equipment including rough terrain forklifts, aerial work platforms, narrow aisle trucks (reach trucks, scissor reach, order pickers including VNA models), warehouse trucks (pallet jacks, stackers, low-level order pickers), heavy-duty forklifts (25,000-40,000 lbs), tow tractors, and port/container equipment. The offering includes advanced lithium-ion battery technology for electric models and a growing automation lineup featuring multiple AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) types. Supporting products include attachments, the Emily Star Clean industrial sweeper, and built-in charging systems. With over 30 authorized dealers across Canada and warehouses in Drummondville, QC and Mississauga, ON, the company positions itself as a full-service provider for material handling solutions across all industry segments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Emily Star Clean: Sweeper product line marketed under the Emily Star Clean brand by HELI Canada.
Products and services
- Electric Forklifts Battery-powered forklifts designed for indoor warehouse use, offering energy efficiency and zero emissions, with lithium-ion battery options available across four-wheel and three-wheel variants.
- Internal Combustion Forklifts Forklifts powered by diesel, LPG, or dual fuel engines for heavy-duty applications, including cushion tire and pneumatic tire variants for indoor/outdoor use.
- Rough Terrain Forklifts (G3 Series)
Quantifiable outcome
- Fivefold increase in sales between 2018 and 2024
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Heli Canada
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Heli Canada technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Heli Canada partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Lewis Motor SalesminorLewis Motor Sales became an authorized HELI dealer in October 2025, adding six new branches to the dealer network in Ontario. They serve customers in Collingwood, Barrie, North Bay, Newmarket, Owen Sound, and Bracebridge areas.
- TechliftcoreTechlift is a long-standing HELI dealer and sub-dealer since 2006. In October 2025, Techlift acquired Équipements Ému, adding three new branches to their network and strengthening HELI's presence across Quebec. Multiple Techlift locations serve Quebec markets including Drummondville, Victoriaville, Sherbrooke, Montreal, Trois-Rivières, and Quebec City.
- RACKsteel Material HandlingminorRACKsteel Material Handling joined the HELI Canada dealer network in January 2025 as an authorized dealer based in Langley, BC. They offer the complete range of HELI forklift equipment to businesses in British Columbia, providing sales, service, and support.
- Anhui HELI Co. LtdcoreAnhui HELI Co. Ltd, based in China, is the parent manufacturer of HELI forklifts. Founded in 1958, Anhui HELI is the largest forklift manufacturer and retailer in China, ranked among the top 10 forklift brands worldwide with 60+ years of experience. HELI Canada serves as the exclusive distributor for Canada.
- Lift North AmericacoreLift North America is an authorized dealer with locations in Mississauga and Ajax, Ontario. They serve customers including Canada Cartage and praised HELI for excellent parts availability and quality support.
- ManuprominorManupro is an authorized dealer in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Quebec. President Sébastien Léger notes that HELI Canada offers strong technical and marketing support that has helped them grow their business.
- Western Materials Handling & Equipment (Westmat)coreWestmat is a major dealer with locations across Alberta including Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Calgary, Red Deer, Edmonton, and Grande Prairie. General Manager Martin Hexspoor notes significant growth and expansion opportunities with HELI products.
- Tri-County TractorsminorTri-County Tractors is an authorized dealer in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Sales Director Heather Crowell notes the popularity of electric models and the four-wheel drive unit, with positive relationships with HELI representatives.
- Universal Truck & TrailerminorUniversal Truck & Trailer is an authorized dealer with locations in Dieppe, New Brunswick and Charlottetown, PEI. CEO Stephan Paillant praised HELI Canada's quality, leadership, and vision for constant product improvement.
- Martin's Lift TruckminorMartin's Lift Truck serves customers in Aylmer and Leamington, Ontario. President Martin Baelde notes over 20 years of long-term commitment from HELI Canada to the Canadian market.
- Keegan Forklift ServicesminorKeegan Forklift and Industrial Equipment serves Hamilton, Ontario. President Jeffrey Keegan chose HELI Canada as the perfect partner for selling electric forklifts, reach trucks, and internal combustion forklifts.
- Machinerie J.P. PlantecoreMachinerie J.P. Plante serves Quebec markets including Lévis with multiple customers including Vitrerie Univerre and Icetec. They have been selling HELI products for 15 years.
- J Spec Atelier MecaniqueminorJ Spec Atelier Mecanique serves the Saint-Hyacinthe area of Quebec. President Jean-Philip Coulombe emphasizes that HELI offers not just machines but complete support with excellent parts availability and quality support.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves13 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Heli Canada competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Toyota Material Handling: Global forklift and material handling leader with a Canadian dealer network selling electric, IC, and warehouse equipment. Closest direct competitor to HELI Canada's product and channel model in the Canadian market.
- Jungheinrich: German intralogistics specialist active in Canada with electric forklifts, reach trucks, and warehouse automation. Direct competitor in the narrow-aisle and electric warehouse equipment segment HELI Canada targets.
- Hyster-Yale Materials Handling: Global manufacturer of lift trucks (Hyster, Yale, Bolzoni) with Canadian distribution. Competes across IC, electric, and heavy-duty forklift segments via independent dealer networks similar to HELI Canada's model.
- Doosan Industrial Vehicle: Korean forklift manufacturer with North American distribution offering IC and electric forklifts through a dealer model. Competes on price-performance in similar capacity ranges to HELI's lineup.
- Crown Equipment: Major North American forklift and warehouse equipment manufacturer with an extensive dealer network in Canada. Competes head-to-head in electric forklifts, reach trucks, and pallet jacks.
- Mitsubishi Logisnext: Forklift OEM (Mitsubishi, Cat, UniCarriers) distributing in Canada through dealer networks. Competes across heavy-duty, electric, and IC forklift categories in similar end markets.
- Linde Material Handling: European-based material handling OEM with a Canadian presence, offering forklifts, warehouse trucks, and automation. Competes directly in electric and IC forklift categories and increasingly in AGV/automation.
Emerging players
- BYD Forklift: Chinese-backed lithium-ion forklift manufacturer expanding into North America. Most directly comparable to HELI on lithium-battery positioning and Chinese-origin supply chain, making it a like-for-like competitor in the electric category.
- Combilift: Irish multi-directional forklift and material handling specialist active in Canada. Overlaps with HELI's heavy-duty and warehouse equipment offerings in specialty handling applications.
Regional players
- Manitou Group: French material handling and rough-terrain equipment manufacturer with a Canadian distribution presence. Most comparable in rough-terrain and heavy-duty forklift segments where HELI Canada competes.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Heli Canada social profiles
Digital presenceHeli Canada financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Heli Canada leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Heli Canada subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries35 records
Heli Canada funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Heli Canada 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 Heli Canada
What does Heli Canada do?
Heli Canada is the exclusive Canadian distributor of Anhui HELI Co. Ltd, selling a full line of forklifts (electric, lithium-ion, internal combustion, rough terrain, heavy duty), warehouse trucks (pallet jacks, stackers, reach trucks, order pickers), aerial work platforms, AGV automation, tow tractors, and port/container equipment. Sales, service, warranty, and parts support are delivered through a network of 30+ authorized dealers across Canada, backed by warehouses in Drummondville, QC and Mississauga, ON.
Is Heli Canada a public or private company?
Heli Canada is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Heli Canada founded?
Heli Canada was founded in 2006. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Heli Canada based?
Heli Canada is headquartered in Drummondville, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Heli Canada make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Forklift Sales are the primary driver. The others are parts and Accessories and service and Warranty.
Who are Heli Canada's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Toyota Material Handling, Jungheinrich, Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Doosan Industrial Vehicle, Crown Equipment, Mitsubishi Logisnext and Linde Material Handling. Emerging players are BYD Forklift and Combilift. Manitou Group is listed as a regional player.
Does Heli Canada have an API?
No public API is recorded for Heli Canada.
What industry is Heli Canada in?
Heli Canada's product category is Material Handling Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAKAOAB, Commercial Vehicle Parts Distribution (Heavy-Duty Truck/Bus), with a secondary code of TLAKAOAA, Automotive Aftermarket Parts Distribution (Light-Duty). Its NAICS code is 42312 and its SIC code is 5084.