Wasp Manufacturing
WASP Manufacturing Ltd. (operating as WASP Wildfire) is a Kelowna, BC-based manufacturer of patented wildfire structure protection equipment, including gutter-mounted sprinkler brackets and mobile SPU trailers. The company serves fire departments, government agencies, industrial clients, and homeowners across North America and Australia.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersKelowna, Canada
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Wasp Manufacturing does
Wasp Manufacturing Ltd. (operating as WASP Wildfire) is a Kelowna, British Columbia-based manufacturer of wildfire structure protection equipment, founded in 2011 by Darrell Pyke. The company designs, researches, and supplies patented gutter-mounted sprinkler brackets, Type 2 Structure Protection Unit (SPU) trailers, pumps, hoses, sprinklers, and portable water bladders, serving fire departments, government agencies, industrial and commercial clients, and homeowners across North America and Australia. Its core technology is a patented gutter-mounted sprinkler bracket made of industrial-grade plastic with a melting point comparable to aluminum, fitted with wind-fighting agricultural-grade sprinkler heads that create a humidity zone around structures to extinguish wind-blown embers while conserving water; this bracket is now mandatory equipment on all SPUs used by BC Wildfire Services and is required by the Office of the Fire Commissioner of BC.
The company's product portfolio centers on two flagship offerings: the WASP Wildfire Home Protection Kit (a direct-to-homeowner sprinkler kit) and the Type 2 SPU trailer (a rapid-deployment wildfire response unit weighing under 10,000 lbs, towable by most 3/4-ton pickups, equipped with six gas-powered pumps and multiple hydrant connectors). WASP is also an official BC distributor and Platinum Dealer for WATERAX pumps and an official distributor for Niedner hose, selling hundreds of thousands of feet of hose annually. The company runs a Community Program through which 250+ fire departments, HOAs, and FireSmart/FireWise groups purchase kits at wholesale pricing to resell at retail, with 100% of profits returning to the community. Customers include BC Wildfire Services, BC Hydro, the Office of the Fire Commissioner of BC, the Royal Canadian Navy, the Department of Defense, Alberta Forestry, Cenovus Energy, and multiple municipal fire departments including Kelowna, Jasper, Halifax Regional, and Limerick Township.
WASP monetizes through hardware sales (customized SPU trailers, home protection kits, pumps and accessories), equipment rentals with optional certified wildfire crews, and a wholesale-resale Community Program channel. Distribution is multi-channel: direct e-commerce (shop.waspwildfire.ca) for homeowners, direct enterprise sales to fire departments and government organizations via email/phone, and the Community Program reseller channel. The company operates from headquarters in Kelowna, BC, with a regional office in Kingston, Nova Scotia (Atlantic Canada) and a US sales office in Las Vegas, Nevada. As of 2025, WASP ranked #15 on The Globe and Mail's B.C.'s Fastest-Growing Companies list and was featured among Canada's Top Growing Companies.
Wasp Manufacturing firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Wasp Manufacturing
- Legal name
- WASP Manufacturing Ltd.
- Website
- https://waspwildfire.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- WASP Manufacturing Ltd. (operating as WASP Wildfire) is a Kelowna, BC-based manufacturer of patented wildfire structure protection equipment, including gutter-mounted sprinkler brackets and mobile SPU trailers. The company serves fire departments, government agencies, industrial clients, and homeowners across North America and Australia.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Wasp Manufacturing industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Wildfire Protection Equipment
- akta.pro primary industry
- Fire Protection Systems Contracting (Sprinklers, Alarms, Suppression) (IMAFALAD)
Keywords
Where Wasp Manufacturing is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kelowna
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Wasp Manufacturing business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales - SPU Trailers: Sale of fully-equipped Type 2 Structure Protection Unit trailers. Trailers are completely customizable to meet customer needs. WASP is the largest manufacturer and supplier of mobile SPUs throughout North America.
- Equipment Rentals: Rental of Structure Protection Units (SPUs) with or without certified wildfire crews. All equipment sold throughout North America is available for rental. Reasonable rates with quick delivery. Allows customers to expense protection requirements without purchasing expensive assets requiring maintenance and storage.
- Wildfire Protection Kit Sales: Sale of Wildfire Home Protection Kits to homeowners. Kits include gutter mount sprinkler brackets, poles, and related equipment for property protection.
- Pumps & Accessories Distribution: Official BC distributor for WATERAX pumps and parts including Mark-3 and Watson Mark-3 pumps. Full range of pumps and replacement parts sold. Also official distributor of Niedner Hose with hundreds of thousands of feet sold annually.
- Community Program - Fundraising Kits: Community Program allows fire departments and HOAs to purchase kits at wholesale pricing (lower than wholesale) to resell at retail prices. 100% of profits can go back to the community, or kits offered at reduced prices to homeowners at risk.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Wildfire Protection Kit |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels3 records
Wasp Manufacturing product offering
Product offeringCore offering
WASP Manufacturing designs, manufactures, and distributes wildfire structure protection equipment, including patented gutter-mounted sprinkler brackets and Type 2 Structure Protection Unit (SPU) trailers. The company serves fire departments, government agencies, industrial operators, and homeowners with rapid-deployment wildfire response equipment, pumps, hoses, sprinklers, and portable water bladders. WASP is the largest manufacturer and supplier of mobile SPUs throughout North America, serving 250+ fire departments and distributors in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Product overview
WASP Manufacturing offers a portfolio of wildfire protection equipment centered around two core products: the WASP Wildfire Home Protection Kit (patented gutter-mounted sprinkler system available direct to homeowners) and Type 2 Structure Protection Unit (SPU) Trailers (rapid-deployment mobile wildfire response trailers). The product line includes pump and hose accessories, fire hose and couplings, sprinkler systems, and rental options with certified crews. The company operates across homeowner, fire department/industrial, SPU, and rental segments. The patented gutter mount brackets are required equipment for fire departments and contractors under contract with British Columbia Wildfire Services. WASP is the largest manufacturer and supplier of mobile structure protection units throughout North America, serving over 250 fire departments and distributors across the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- WASP Wildfire Home Protection Kit Patented gutter-mounted sprinkler system equipped with wind-fighting agricultural grade sprinkler heads. Designed for homeowners in wildfire-risk areas to protect residential properties from wind-blown burning embers during wildfire events.
- Type 2 Structure Protection Unit (SPU) Trailers Mobile rapid-deployment wildfire trailers weighing under 10,000 lbs, towable by most 3/4-ton or larger pickups. Equipped with six gas-powered pumps, multiple hydrant connectors, and designed to run sprinklers directly off a home's outdoor water tap. Used to protect homes, subdivisions, universities, resorts, lodges, hotels, ranches, and large industrial sites.
- SPU Rentals Rental service for Structure Protection Units (SPUs), available with or without certified wildfire crews. Allows customers to expense protection requirements without purchasing equipment that requires maintenance and off-season storage. Equipment available for rental throughout North America.
- Pumps and Accessories Distribution of WATERAX portable fire pumps and replacement parts including the Mark-3 and the upgraded Watson Mark-3 (30% lighter, 20% smaller with smart LED display). WASP is an official BC distributor and Platinum Dealer for WATERAX, offering factory-direct pricing and a complete selection of replacement parts.
- Fire Hose, Couplings and Sprinklers Official distribution of Niedner fire hose available in many varieties, lengths, and diameters. Hundreds of thousands of feet sold annually. Also stocks sprinklers including patented gutter mount sprinklers and Nelson R10T 360-degree rotator sprinkler heads.
Quantifiable outcome
- Zero structures lost when protecting 500+ structures surrounded by 180,000 hectare wildfire for 23 days (Cenovus Energy 2023)
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Wasp Manufacturing
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Wasp Manufacturing technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Wasp Manufacturing partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- WateraxcoreOfficial BC distributor for WATERAX pumps and parts including Mark-3 and Watson Mark-3 pumps. One of Canada's few WATERAX Platinum Dealers providing excellent pricing, service and advice on all WATERAX portable fire pump products. Offers better than factory direct pricing and stocks complete selection of replacement parts.
- Niedner HosecoreOfficial distributor of Niedner Hose. WASP sells hundreds of thousands of feet of hose annually. Available in many different varieties, lengths and diameters.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Wasp Manufacturing competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Johnson Controls (Tyco Fire Protection): Global fire-protection incumbent offering sprinklers, suppression, and detection across commercial and industrial markets. Represents a potential large-scale competitor if the wildfire-structure segment attracts broader fire-protection majors.
- Task Force Tips: Established manufacturer of firefighting nozzles, monitors, and foam equipment serving municipal and industrial fire departments globally. Overlaps with WASP on integrated trailer pump packages and shares the fire-service distribution channel.
- Niedner: Manufacturer of high-pressure fire hose used in wildfire and industrial firefighting. WASP is an official Niedner distributor selling hundreds of thousands of feet annually; both serve the same fire-service customer base.
- Hale Products: Large, established manufacturer of fire pumps and firefighting apparatus. Competes with WASP indirectly on integrated wildfire response trailers and shares government procurement customers in the broader fire-protection industry.
Direct peers
- SEI Industries: Manufacturer of portable water storage bladders and rapid-deployment wildfire response equipment. SEI is an approved supplier integrated into WASP SPU trailers, and competes in overlapping wildfire structure-protection deployments.
- Bull Dog Fire Equipment: Specialty manufacturer of wildfire and wildland firefighting equipment including pumps, hose, and structure protection gear. Sells to the same fire agency and forestry customer base as WASP across North America.
- Wildfire Defense Systems: US-based wildfire protection services and equipment provider for residential and commercial properties. Operates in the same structure-protection category as WASP, particularly on the US homeowner and HOA side of the market.
- WATERAX: Manufacturer of portable wildfire and forestry pumps (Mark-3, Watson Mark-3). WASP is an official BC distributor and Platinum Dealer for WATERAX, and the two companies sell integrated packages of pumps, hoses, and brackets to the same fire-department and government customers.
- Firebreak Equipment: Specialty manufacturer of wildfire structure protection equipment including sprinkler systems and rapid-deployment kits for homeowners and fire agencies, directly overlapping WASP's core product offering.
Emerging players
- Rain Bird: Global irrigation equipment manufacturer whose sprinkler heads and components are integrated into WASP wildfire systems. Rain Bird's agricultural/commercial sprinkler technology underpins wildfire adaptation applications.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Wasp Manufacturing social profiles
Digital presenceWasp Manufacturing financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Wasp Manufacturing leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Wasp Manufacturing funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Wasp Manufacturing 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 Wasp Manufacturing
What does Wasp Manufacturing do?
WASP Manufacturing designs, manufactures, and distributes wildfire structure protection equipment, including patented gutter-mounted sprinkler brackets and Type 2 Structure Protection Unit (SPU) trailers. The company serves fire departments, government agencies, industrial operators, and homeowners with rapid-deployment wildfire response equipment, pumps, hoses, sprinklers, and portable water bladders. WASP is the largest manufacturer and supplier of mobile SPUs throughout North America, serving 250+ fire departments and distributors in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Is Wasp Manufacturing a public or private company?
Wasp Manufacturing is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Wasp Manufacturing founded?
Wasp Manufacturing was founded in 2011. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Wasp Manufacturing based?
Wasp Manufacturing is headquartered in Kelowna, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Wasp Manufacturing make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales - SPU Trailers are the primary driver. The others are equipment Rentals, wildfire Protection Kit Sales, pumps & Accessories Distribution and community Program - Fundraising Kits.
Who are Wasp Manufacturing's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Johnson Controls (Tyco Fire Protection), Task Force Tips, Niedner and Hale Products. Direct peers are SEI Industries, Bull Dog Fire Equipment, Wildfire Defense Systems, WATERAX and Firebreak Equipment. Rain Bird is listed as an emerging player.
Does Wasp Manufacturing have an API?
No public API is recorded for Wasp Manufacturing.
What industry is Wasp Manufacturing in?
Wasp Manufacturing's product category is Wildfire Protection Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAFALAD, Fire Protection Systems Contracting (Sprinklers, Alarms, Suppression).