Gerhards Importers Canada

What Gerhards Importers Canada does

Gerhards Importers Canada is a privately held importer and national distributor of premium beverage products, founded in 1996 and headquartered at 1228 Old Innes Road, Suite 319, Ottawa, Ontario. The company curates and distributes a portfolio of 14 international premium brands — including 1883 Maison Routin (French syrups, sauces, purées, mixers, frappés), Pacific Foods (Barista Series plant-based milks), Smith Tea, Aiya Matcha, Hollander Chocolate, Numi Organic Tea, Milkadamia, Sproud, Cappuccine, Alchemy Elixirs, Smart Fruit, Mountain Apple Cider, Say When Chai, and Say It Ain't Soda — serving the Canadian café, restaurant, and bar industries with coast-to-coast coverage.

The product mix spans premium syrups (100+ flavors), gourmet sauces, fruit purées, smoothie mixes, organic and sugar-free syrups, tonics and mixers, plant-based milks (almond, oat, coconut, pistachio, soy, pea, macadamia), single-origin teas, matcha, chai concentrates, apple cider, and frappe powders. Gerhards does not develop proprietary technology; its value lies in sourcing, brand curation, and distribution logistics. Supporting infrastructure is limited to a company website, organic social media presence (Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest), an email newsletter, and a SharePoint-based distributor resource hub providing sell sheets, product imagery, and marketing materials.

Revenue is generated through B2B distribution to wholesale and specialty distributors, multi-location chain accounts, and independent cafés and bars. The GTM emphasizes volume discounts, combined purchase orders across brands (eliminating per-brand minimums), beverage innovation support, sales programs, promotions, point-of-sale materials, and product samples. The company participates in industry events such as RC Show 2025 and operates without disclosed pricing, public funding, or management team information. No revenue figures, headcount, M&A activity, or institutional ownership have been disclosed in the available source material.

Name

Gerhards Importers Canada

Legal name

Gerhards Importers Canada

Website

https://gerhardscanada.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Gerhards Importers Canada is a privately held, Ottawa-based importer and national distributor of 14 premium international beverage brands serving Canadian cafés, restaurants, bars, and wholesale distributors since 1996.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Beverage Distribution

SIC

Wholesale-Groceries & Related Products (5140)

akta.pro primary industry

Beverage Import/Export & Cross-Border Wholesale (AFAIAGAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Import/Export Broadline Foodservice Distributors (AFAIAAAH), Coffee, Tea & Cocoa Beverage Wholesale (AFAIAGAD), Coffee & Tea Service Supplies Wholesale (AFAIALAH)

Keywords

• Premium beverage distribution
• Specialty foodservice products
• Import distribution services
• Café beverage ingredients
• Plant-based milk distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Ottawa

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Beverage Product Distribution: Gerhards Importers Canada generates revenue through importing and distributing premium beverage products to Canadian distributors, restaurants, cafés, and bars. The company serves as a national distributor with coast-to-coast coverage through a network of distributors, fulfilling multiple needs with a single-source solution offering volume discounts and combined product purchase orders.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Gerhards Importers Canada is a national importer and distributor of premium beverage products for the Canadian café, restaurant, and bar industries. The company curates and distributes a portfolio of 14 international beverage brands spanning syrups, sauces, plant-based milks, teas, chai concentrates, fruit purées, frappes, matcha, hot apple cider, refreshers, and powdered beverage bases. Distribution is delivered coast-to-coast in Canada through a network of wholesale and specialty distributors and direct relationships with multi-location chain accounts.

Product overview

Gerhards Importers Canada is a leading importer and national distributor of premium beverage products for the Canadian café, restaurant, and bar industries. The company offers a curated portfolio of 14 international beverage brands spanning syrups, sauces, plant-based milks, teas, chai concentrates, fruit purees, refreshers, frappes, and mixers. The core product lines include 1883 Maison Routin's premium French syrups (100+ flavors), gourmet sauces, fruit purées, and smoothie mixes; Pacific Foods' Barista Series plant-based milks (almond, oat, coconut, pistachio, soy); Smith Teas' handcrafted single-origin teas; Say When Chai's kettle-brewed concentrates; Hollander Chocolate's Dutch cocoa products; Smart Fruit's 100% real fruit purées and refreshers; Alchemy's natural elixirs; Aiya Matcha's premium Japanese matcha; Cappuccine's frappe mixes; Milkadamia's macadamia milks; Sproud's pea protein milks; Numi Organic Teas; Mountain Apple Cider; and various other specialty beverage ingredients. These products serve foodservice operators, distributors, and retailers seeking premium ingredients for craft beverages.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 1883 Maison Routin Premium Syrups and Beverage Ingredients French Master Syrup Maker since 1883, offering over 100 premium syrup flavors, gourmet sauces, fruit purées, frappes, organic and sugar-free syrups, tonic and mixers, and fruit smoothie mixes. Crafted in the French Alps using pure spring water, for cafés, restaurants, bars, and beverage programs.
• Pacific Foods Barista Series Plant-Based Milks Barista-formulated plant-based milks designed for professional café environments, including almond, oat, coconut, pistachio, and soy varieties in shelf-stable cartons for hot and cold applications.
• Say When Chai Concentrates Kettle-brewed chai concentrates made with whole spices (cardamom, cinnamon, black pepper, turmeric, ginger), organic teas, natural sweeteners, and purified British Columbia mountain water. Available in multiple varieties for cafés and restaurants.
• Hollander Chocolate Café Sauces and Powders Premium café sauces and powders created with Dutched cocoas for craft beverages, including café sauces (caramel, chocolate), frappe and blender bases, and café cocoas powders.
• Smith Tea Handcrafted Teas Handcrafted teas with single-origin ingredients sourced directly from sustainable gardens, including signature iced teas, holiday teas, organic wellness, seasonal and limited teas, and signature teas.
• Smart Fruit Real Fruit Purées and Refreshers 100% real fruit purées and lightly caffeinated refreshers infused with coconut water and green coffee bean extract. Made with non-GMO ingredients and no added sugars or artificial additives.
• Mountain Apple Cider Concentrate Hot Spiced Apple Cider Concentrate made for over 30 years, using apples boiled down and mixed with a traditional spice blend.
• Alchemy Elixirs Naturally flavored beverages made without artificial flavors or colours, including Organic Mumbai Chai Elixir, Beyond Beetroot Elixir, Original Golden Turmeric Elixir, and Maho Matcha Elixir.
• Aiya Matcha Premium Japanese Green Tea Premium Japanese Matcha green tea from a family-owned company since 1888, including Barista Matcha, Sweetened Matcha Blend, Pure Cooking Grade Matcha, and Ceremonial Matcha varieties.
• Cappuccine Frappe Mixes Powdered frappe mix for frozen, over ice, or hot beverages, with over 32 years' experience exporting to 25+ countries. Includes Matcha Green Tea Latte, Red Velvet Frappe Mix, and Frappe Mix.
• Milkadamia Macadamia Milk Macadamia-based milk products made from raw macadamias, including Unsweetened Macadamia Milk, Barista, and Unsweetened Barista varieties.
• Sproud Pea Protein Plant-Based Milk Plant-based milk made from sustainable yellow split peas, low in sugar and high in protein, with less climate impact than other plant milks. North American products made from Canadian-grown peas. Includes Barista Pea Milk.
• Numi Organic Tea Organic fuller-leaf teas blended with 100% real fruits, flowers, herbs, and spices, including varieties like Aged Earl Grey, Berried Treasure, Breakfast Blend, Chamomile Lemon, Chinese Breakfast, and Chocolate Pu-erh.
• Say It Ain't Soda Unique soda beverages offered as part of the Gerhards portfolio for the Canadian café and restaurant market.

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• 1883 Maison RoutincoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrench Master Syrup Maker since 1883, crafting premium syrups, sauces, purées, frappes, and mixers in the French Alps. Over 100 syrup flavors available including organic, sugar-free, and premium options.
• Aiya MatchacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFamily owned since 1888, Aiya is the largest producer of premium Japanese Matcha green tea. Based in Nishio, Japan, overseeing all phases of Matcha production from seed to bowl with commitment to high-quality organic and conventional Matcha.
• Alchemy Cordial CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustralian manufacturer of naturally flavoured beverages including chai elixirs, beetroot elixirs, turmeric elixirs, and matcha elixirs. Products made with love without artificial flavours or colours.
• CappuccinecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational experts with over 32 years' experience exporting to over 25 countries. Famous powdered frappe mix for frozen, over ice, or hot beverages unmatched for flexibility, efficiency, and taste.
• Hollander ChocolatecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremium collection of fine café sauces and powders created with Holland's finest Dutched cocoas and quality ingredients. Unrivaled in flavor and performance for craft beverages.
• MilkadamiacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMacadamia-based products made from the finest raw macadamias. Committed to regenerating the planet and maintaining relationships with stores and people who share their love for their products.
• Mountain Apple CidercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMountain Cider Company has been making Hot Spiced Apple Cider Concentrate for over 30 years. Simple recipe using apples boiled down and mixed with traditional spice blend.
• Numi Organic TeacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOrganic teas crafted from pure, natural ingredients like real fruits, flowers, and spices for clean, authentic flavor with no added flavorings. Full leaf teas blended with 100% real ingredients.
• Pacific FoodscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBarista Series plant-based milks specifically designed for baristas. Products include almond, oat, coconut, pistachio, and soy varieties in shelf-stable cartons designed for professional café environments.
• Say It Ain't SodacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrand offering unique beverage products for the Canadian market through Gerhards distribution network.
• Say When ChaicoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChai brand kettle-brewed with whole spices like cardamom, cinnamon, black pepper, turmeric and ginger, organic teas, natural sweeteners, and purified British Columbia mountain water. Products include London Fog, Oolong Chai, Authentic Chai, Grizzly, and Spiced Chai.
• Smart FruitcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExpertly crafted 100% real fruit & vegetable blends including purees and lightly caffeinated refreshers. Made with non-GMO ingredients and no added sugars or artificial additives.
• Smith TeacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHandcrafted teas made in house with every ingredient single-origin and sourced directly from gardens employing sustainable practices. Product lines include Signature Iced Teas, Holiday Teas, Organic Wellness, Seasonal & Limited Teas, and Signature Teas.
• SproudcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPlant-based milk alternative made from sustainable yellow split peas. Low in sugar, high in protein, with less climate impact than all other plant milks. North American products made from Canadian-grown peas.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Van Houtte Coffee Services: Heritage Canadian coffee brand (now part of Keurig Dr Pepper) with foodservice distribution across offices, cafés, and restaurants. Comparable as a premium coffee operator/distributor serving Canadian foodservice accounts, with similar customer types to Gerhards' café/bar client base.
• Club Coffee: Canadian coffee roaster and contract packager serving retail and foodservice. Comparable as a Canadian foodservice-aligned beverage specialist, with similar target operators to Gerhards though focused on single-category coffee manufacturing versus multi-brand beverage distribution.
• Mother Parkers Tea & Coffee: Canadian roaster and supplier of coffee and tea to foodservice and retail customers. Comparable as a Canadian-based coffee/tea category specialist serving cafés and restaurants, with overlapping target customers to Gerhards though operating as a manufacturer rather than an importer/distributor.
• Premium Brands Holdings: Canadian specialty food manufacturer and distributor with a portfolio of premium brands sold through foodservice and retail channels. Comparable as a Canada-wide specialty food/beverage distribution platform, though vertically integrated with owned brands rather than Gerhards' third-party brand agency model.

Emerging players

• Kicking Horse Coffee: Canadian premium/organic coffee roaster with strong foodservice and retail presence. Comparable as a Canadian specialty coffee brand in adjacent foodservice channels, though as a brand owner rather than a multi-brand importer/distributor.
• Ethical Bean Coffee: Canadian specialty/fair-trade coffee roaster serving cafés, offices, and retail. Comparable as a Canadian specialty coffee player in foodservice channels that Gerhards also serves, though with a single-category focus versus Gerhards' multi-brand portfolio.
• David's Tea: Canadian specialty tea brand with retail and e-commerce presence. Comparable as a Canadian premium tea brand overlapping with Gerhards' Numi/Smith Tea/Say When Chai assortment, though operating a direct-to-consumer retail model rather than foodservice distribution.

Broad incumbents

• Sysco Canada: Subsidiary of Sysco, the largest broadline foodservice distributor in North America. Comparable as a Canada-wide B2B foodservice distributor serving cafés, restaurants, and bars, though with a much broader grocery/food portfolio than Gerhards' premium beverage specialization.
• UNFI Canada: Canadian arm of United Natural Foods, a leading North American wholesale distributor of natural, organic, and specialty foods. Comparable as a specialty/natural foodservice distributor serving operators, with broader category coverage than Gerhards' beverage-only focus.
• Gordon Food Service: Major North American broadline foodservice distributor with significant Canadian operations. Comparable as a multi-category distributor to foodservice operators, but operates at significantly larger scale and broader product range than Gerhards.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/gerhardscanada
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gerhards-importers-canada
• Instagraminstagram.com/gerhardscanada
• Pinterestca.pinterest.com/gerhardscanada
• Facebookfacebook.com/GerhardsCanada

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Gerhards Importers Canada