Curtis
Canadian Curtis Inc. (Curtis) is a 1934-founded Stoney Creek, Ontario manufacturer of sectional modular walk-in coolers and freezers, custom reach-in refrigeration cabinets and dual-temperature units for the North American food-service industry, sold direct and through dealers with full turnkey design, manufacture, installation and aftermarket parts/service. Acquired by Norbec in March 2026.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1934
- HeadquartersStoney Creek, Canada
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Curtis does
Canadian Curtis Inc. (operating as "Curtis") is a Canadian manufacturer of walk-in coolers and freezers, custom reach-in refrigeration cabinets and dual-temperature units, founded in 1934 in Stoney Creek, Ontario. The company's core technology is a sectional, modular prefabricated insulated panel system assembled via a proprietary cam-lock mechanism using Ecomate foam insulation (zero GWP, zero ODP, R32-rated 4-inch panels), produced on a 60,000 sq ft manufacturing line featuring a proprietary computerized metal forming line (installed 2002), two Ermak press brakes (2010) and an Amada laser (2012). Product certifications include CSA, UL, ULC, CFIA, ETL (via Intertek) and NRCan Energy Efficiency Act compliance, with outdoor walk-in variants engineered to free up interior floor space.
Curtis operates a sales-led, quote-based B2B model. Pricing is not publicly listed; customers configure walk-in systems through a website quote-request form or via a regional Ontario sales team (Eastern/Central Ontario coverage by named representatives) and food-service-equipment dealers and specifiers who recommend Curtis to end customers. Revenue streams comprise one-time equipment sales (walk-ins, reach-ins, dual-temperature units), aftermarket replacement parts (gaskets, hinges, heater wires, condensate pans, thermometers), and recurring service and maintenance contracts. End customers span the food-service industry — restaurants, hotels, hospitals, grocery stores and food-processing facilities — sold both directly and indirectly through dealer channel partners such as Trimen Food Service Equipment Ltd.
The ownership history spans Fritz (founder, 1934), Derek Lloyd (1962), Wes and Tom Clarke (1990-2005), and Michael Gilhespy (General Manager from 1998, sole owner from 2005). On 13 March 2026, Norbec — a Canadian walk-in cooler/freezer and insulated metal panel manufacturer — completed its acquisition of Canadian Curtis; the standalone Stoney Creek manufacturing operations are scheduled to be closed and consolidated into Norbec's newly built facility in Strathroy, Ontario, with the Curtis sales and service network to be retained. As of the latest source data, the company's operating status is reported as acquired.
Curtis firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Curtis
- Legal name
- Canadian Curtis Inc.
- Website
- https://canadiancurtis.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1934
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Canadian Curtis Inc. (Curtis) is a 1934-founded Stoney Creek, Ontario manufacturer of sectional modular walk-in coolers and freezers, custom reach-in refrigeration cabinets and dual-temperature units for the North American food-service industry, sold direct and through dealers with full turnkey design, manufacture, installation and aftermarket parts/service. Acquired by Norbec in March 2026.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Curtis industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Commercial Refrigeration Equipment
- NAICS
- Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (333415)
- SIC
- Air-Cond & Warm Air Heatg Equip & Comm & Indl Refrig Equip (3585)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cold Room Panels, Doors & Seals Repair (HSAOAJAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Walk-In Cooler Service & Repair (HSAOAJAB), Walk-In Freezer Service & Repair (HSAOAJAC), Chillers & Cooling Plant Equipment (IMAHAKAE)
Keywords
Where Curtis is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Stoney Creek
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Curtis business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Walk-in Cooler and Freezer Sales: Custom design, manufacture and installation of walk-in coolers and freezers. Turnkey solutions from simple to complex jobs. Includes modular prefabricated panels with various finishes, hinged/sliding/glass doors, and custom sizing.
- Reach-In Products: Custom Reach-In products including cabinet displays. Commercial 1, 2 and 3 door models with Intertek ETL certification.
- Service and Maintenance: Service department for maintenance, repairs, and troubleshooting support. Contactable via dedicated service lines.
- Replacement Parts: Replacement parts including door gaskets, hinges, handles, heater wires, condensate pans, and thermometers. Parts ordering through website or direct contact.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Custom Quote-Based Pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Curtis product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Canadian Curtis Inc. (Curtis) designs, manufactures, and installs custom walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers, along with reach-in refrigeration products and dual-temperature units, for the commercial food service industry. The company also supplies replacement parts, service/maintenance, and turnkey design-to-installation solutions for foodservice operators across Ontario.
Product overview
Canadian Curtis Inc. is a manufacturer specializing in walk-in cooler and freezer rooms and custom reach-in products. The core product portfolio includes modular sectional walk-in systems (available as indoor and outdoor variants), reach-in cabinet displays, and dual-temperature units. The company offers complete turnkey services encompassing design, manufacture, and installation, along with replacement parts and maintenance services. The modular panel-based walk-in system uses prefabricated insulated panels with various door options, finishes, and configurations to meet customer specifications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- Energy savings through KE2 system with automatic light shutoff and other energy-saving functions
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Curtis
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Curtis technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Curtis partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Curtis competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Strengths4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Curtis social profiles
Digital presenceCurtis compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance8 records
Curtis financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Curtis leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Curtis funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Curtis 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 Curtis
What does Curtis do?
Canadian Curtis Inc. (Curtis) designs, manufactures, and installs custom walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers, along with reach-in refrigeration products and dual-temperature units, for the commercial food service industry. The company also supplies replacement parts, service/maintenance, and turnkey design-to-installation solutions for foodservice operators across Ontario.
Is Curtis a public or private company?
Curtis is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.
When was Curtis founded?
Curtis was founded in 1934. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Curtis based?
Curtis is headquartered in Stoney Creek, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Curtis make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Walk-in Cooler and Freezer Sales are the primary driver. The others are reach-In Products, service and Maintenance and replacement Parts.
Does Curtis have an API?
No public API is recorded for Curtis.
What industry is Curtis in?
Curtis's product category is Commercial Refrigeration Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSAOAJAK, Cold Room Panels, Doors & Seals Repair, with a secondary code of HSAOAJAB, Walk-In Cooler Service & Repair. Its NAICS code is 333415 and its SIC code is 3585.