Point S Canada
Point S Canada, operated by Unimax Ltée, is Canada's largest network of independent tire and auto service retailers with over 1,100 points of sale across four banners (Point S, V1, Otobox, Local Tire), combining wholesale distribution with franchise retail support, group purchasing, and consumer e-commerce.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersBoucherville, Canada
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Point S Canada does
Point S Canada, operated by Unimax Ltée/Unimax Ltd., is Canada's largest network of independent tire and auto service retailers, with over 1,100 points of sale organized under four distinct retail banners: Point S (the flagship all-in-one banner with 250+ auto centres nationwide), V1 (Quebec-focused banner with 45 points of sale), Otobox (a purchasing group with 300+ coast-to-coast points of sale), and Local Tire (Western Canada-focused with 250+ auto centres). The company serves independent retailers seeking the group purchasing power, brand recognition, advanced training, and marketing infrastructure of a national network without surrendering operational autonomy to manufacturer-tied dealership channels. End consumers access the network for tire replacement, vehicle maintenance, and repair services across passenger vehicles, SUVs, electric and hybrid vehicles, and commercial vehicles.
The core operating stack combines a multi-banner franchise and retail support model with integrated physical distribution infrastructure: 29 distribution centres with over 3 million square feet of storage space supporting what the company describes as the largest tire inventory in Canada and up to four daily deliveries. The technology layer includes the consumer-facing transactional e-commerce platform shop.pointscanada.ca with geolocation-enabled routing to the nearest retailer, a portfolio of over 1,000 free online training courses for retailer staff, and more than 1,200 advertising templates provided to network members. Distribution operations are anchored by Distribution Stox Inc., which became a wholly-owned subsidiary in April 2022 and serves 5,000+ B2B customers including independent retailers, automotive dealerships, and online merchants.
Revenue is generated through three principal streams: wholesale distribution of tires and automotive parts by Unimax to its B2B customers; retail banner licensing and network fees from independent retailers operating under the four Point S Canada banners (in exchange for protected sales territories, competitive purchasing programs, marketing support, and store redesign services); and consumer-facing e-commerce transactions routed through the shop.pointscanada.ca platform. In April 2022, National Bank Private Investment acquired a 30% equity stake in Unimax Ltée, a transaction that enabled the full acquisition of Distribution Stox and is stated to support continued Canadian expansion through additional acquisitions. Leadership transitioned in May 2022 when Jean Novak was appointed President and CEO, succeeding Bruno Leclair.
Point S Canada firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Point S Canada
- Legal name
- UNIMAX LTÉE/UNIMAX LTD.
- Website
- https://pointscanada.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Point S Canada, operated by Unimax Ltée, is Canada's largest network of independent tire and auto service retailers with over 1,100 points of sale across four banners (Point S, V1, Otobox, Local Tire), combining wholesale distribution with franchise retail support, group purchasing, and consumer e-commerce.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Point S Canada industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Tire and Auto Service Retail Network
- NAICS
- Tire Dealers (441340), Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers (423130), Automotive Parts, Accessories, and Tire Retailers (4413), Tire Dealers (44134)
- SIC
- Services-Automotive Repair, Services & Parking (7500), Wholesale-Motor Vehicle Supplies & New Parts (5013)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Retail Tire Sales & Installation (Consumer) (TLAKADAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Tires, wheels & related supplies distribution (CRAOANAD), Tire Distribution & Wholesale (Regional/Local Supply) (TLAKADAH), Commercial/Fleet Tire Sales & Service (Truck/Bus/OTR) (TLAKADAB), Wheel Services (Mount/Balance, Alignment, Rotation) (TLAKADAF)
Keywords
Where Point S Canada is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Boucherville
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Point S Canada business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Tire and auto parts distribution: Point S Canada (through its parent company Unimax Ltée) generates revenue through wholesale distribution of tires and automotive parts to its network of independent retailers. The company maintains direct relationships with major tire manufacturers enabling group purchasing benefits.
- Retail banner licensing and network fees: Independent retailers pay for access to Point S retail banners (Point S, V1, Otobox, Local Tire), receiving benefits including competitive purchasing programs, protected sales territories, marketing support, visual branding, and store redesign support in exchange.
- Consumer e-commerce sales: Point S Canada operates shop.pointscanada.ca, a transactional e-commerce platform where consumers can purchase tires and auto services online, with geolocation connecting them to local retail partners.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels5 records
Point S Canada product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Point S Canada operates Canada's largest network of independent tire and auto service retailers through four retail banners (Point S, V1, Otobox, Local Tire) that license independent operators under a turnkey franchise-style model. The network is supported by 29 distribution centers with over 3 million square feet of storage space that wholesale tires and auto parts to network retailers, automotive dealerships, and online merchants. The company also runs a consumer-facing transactional e-commerce platform (shop.pointscanada.ca) that connects online tire buyers with their nearest network retailer, and offers electric and hybrid vehicle services including EV-specific tires and charging station installation.
Product overview
Point S Canada operates a network of independent tire and auto service retailers across four retail banners: Point S (the flagship all-in-one banner with 250+ auto centres nationwide), V1 (Quebec-focused banner with 45 locations), Otobox (300+ locations coast-to-coast), and Local Tire (Western Canada-focused with 250+ auto centres). The banners are supported by Distribution Stox with 29 distribution centres, over 3 million square feet of storage space, and up to four daily deliveries. The company also offers electric and hybrid vehicle services including EV tire sales and BEQ Technology charging station installation, supported by NexDrive (NAPA) and Competences VE technician certification programs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Point S: Full-service all-in-one auto care and tire retail banner with over 250 auto centres across Canada, offering competitive purchasing programs, marketing campaigns, and store redesign support.
- V1
- Otobox
- Local Tire
Products and services
- Point S Retail Banner The flagship all-in-one retail banner for independent tire and auto service retailers across Canada. Offers competitive purchasing programs, powerful marketing campaigns, protected sales territory, store redesign support, and a commercial tire program (Quebec only). More than 250 auto centres operate under this banner.
- V1 Retail Banner Quebec-focused tire and auto service retailer banner providing 45 points of sale. Offers competitive purchasing programs, visual branding and marketing support, protected sales territory, starter toolkit, and tailored positioning for retailers specialized in the Quebec market.
- Otobox Retail Banner A purchasing group banner for tire and auto service retailers with more than 300 points of sale from coast to coast. Provides competitive purchasing programs, marketing campaigns to generate traffic, commercial tire program (Quebec only), and a starter toolkit for independent operators.
- Local Tire Retail Banner Retail banner designed for independent retailers specialized in vehicle maintenance and services, with more than 250 auto centres located across Canada and a concentration in Western Canada. Offers competitive purchasing programs, protected sales territory, and a starter toolkit, with a full range of P and LT tires.
- Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Services Specialized services for electric and hybrid vehicles offered through Point S Canada network retailers, including EV-specific tires, charging station installation via the BEQ Technology partnership, and maintenance services performed by technicians certified under the NexDrive (NAPA) and Compétences VE programs.
Quantifiable outcome
- 1,100 points of sale across Canada
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Point S Canada
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Point S Canada technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Point S Canada partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.
- BEQ TechnologycorePartnership with BEQ Technology for electric vehicle charging station installation. BEQ Technology provides the largest selection of residential and commercial EV charging stations and the largest network of certified master electricians for installation. Point S Canada locations now feature multiple charging stations across the national network.
- NAPA (NexDrive program)coreNAPA's NexDrive program certifies mechanics for electric vehicle maintenance services at Point S Canada locations. Mechanics follow automotive manufacturer guidelines for EV servicing.
- Programme Compétences VEsecondaryQuebec-based automotive training program for electric and heavy vehicle technicians, improving industry skills based on latest technological innovations.
- Distribution Stox Inc.coreDistribution Stox Inc. is the distributor of Unimax products. Following the National Bank Private Investment partnership in 2022, Unimax acquired 100% of Distribution Stox shares, bringing distribution operations fully in-house.
- North Country Tire Distributors LtdsecondaryAlberta-based distributor that extended Point S's presence in Western Canada in 2016. Joined the Distribution Stox network in 2023.
- PROCUREminorPoint S Canada participates in PROCURE's annual Noeudvembre campaign to support men with prostate cancer, entering its 10th edition in 2023.
- Tire manufacturers (Nokian, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Bridgestone, Firestone, Pirelli, Goodyear, Cooper, Dunlop, Kelly, Continental, General Tire, Gislaved, Toyo)corePoint S Canada maintains direct relationships with leading tire manufacturers, enabling group purchasing benefits for its retail network. These partnerships provide access to the biggest tire brands for passenger vehicles, SUVs, electric vehicles, and commercial vehicles.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Point S Canada competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Kal Tire: Kal Tire is one of Canada's largest independent tire dealers and service operators with a strong Western Canada footprint, directly competing with Point S Canada's Point S and Local Tire banners across tire retail and auto service categories.
- Midas Canada: Midas operates a franchised network of auto service centers across Canada, overlapping with Point S Canada's mechanical service offerings (brakes, tires, maintenance) and competing for the same independent service customer base.
- Mr. Lube: Mr. Lube is Canada's largest quick-service automotive maintenance franchise network, competing for the same routine maintenance and tire-related service customer wallet that Point S Canada's network members serve.
- Fountain Tire: Fountain Tire operates a Western Canada-heavy franchise network of tire and auto service retailers, mirroring Point S Canada's multi-banner independent retailer model and competing for the same independent operator affiliations and consumer tire spend.
- Active Green+Ross: Active Green+Ross is a Canadian franchise network of tire and auto service centers competing directly with Point S Canada's banners for independent retailer affiliations, commercial fleet accounts, and consumer tire replacement business.
Broad incumbents
- Goodyear Auto Service Network: Goodyear's branded auto service network is a manufacturer-affiliated competitor combining tire sales with mechanical services, representing the type of manufacturer-tied service channel that Point S Canada positions itself against in its value proposition.
- Canadian Tire (Automotive Service): Canadian Tire operates one of Canada's largest retail footprints including tire sales and automotive service centers, representing a broad incumbent competitor with significant scale, brand recognition, and bundled retail offerings that overlap with Point S Canada's consumer-facing tire and service business.
- NAPA Auto Parts (UAP Inc.): NAPA is a major North American automotive parts distributor and retailer with significant Canadian presence; its parent UAP competes broadly with Unimax's wholesale distribution arm for B2B parts supply to independent retailers and service centers.
- Costco Tire Centers: Costco's in-store tire centers offer a low-price, membership-driven alternative for consumer tire purchases and basic installation, competing with Point S Canada's retail banners for value-conscious consumer tire buyers in markets where Costco operates.
Regional players
- Tire Rack: Tire Rack is the leading U.S. direct-to-consumer online tire retailer and represents the disruptive online tire purchase model that increasingly captures pre-shopping consumer demand, mirroring the same competitive pressure Point S Canada faces from e-commerce-first tire channels.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Point S Canada social profiles
Digital presencePoint S Canada financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Point S Canada leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Point S Canada subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
Point S Canada funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Point S 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 Point S Canada
What does Point S Canada do?
Point S Canada operates Canada's largest network of independent tire and auto service retailers through four retail banners (Point S, V1, Otobox, Local Tire) that license independent operators under a turnkey franchise-style model. The network is supported by 29 distribution centers with over 3 million square feet of storage space that wholesale tires and auto parts to network retailers, automotive dealerships, and online merchants. The company also runs a consumer-facing transactional e-commerce platform (shop.pointscanada.ca) that connects online tire buyers with their nearest network retailer, and offers electric and hybrid vehicle services including EV-specific tires and charging station installation.
Is Point S Canada a public or private company?
Point S Canada is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was Point S Canada founded?
Point S Canada was founded in 2015. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Point S Canada based?
Point S Canada is headquartered in Boucherville, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Point S Canada make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Tire and auto parts distribution is the primary driver. The others are retail banner licensing and network fees and consumer e-commerce sales.
Who are Point S Canada's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Kal Tire, Midas Canada, Mr. Lube, Fountain Tire and Active Green+Ross. Broad incumbents are Goodyear Auto Service Network, Canadian Tire (Automotive Service), NAPA Auto Parts (UAP Inc.) and Costco Tire Centers. Tire Rack is listed as a regional player.
Does Point S Canada have an API?
No public API is recorded for Point S Canada.
What industry is Point S Canada in?
Point S Canada's product category is Tire and Auto Service Retail Network. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAKADAA, Retail Tire Sales & Installation (Consumer), with a secondary code of CRAOANAD, Tires, wheels & related supplies distribution. Its NAICS code is 441340 and its SIC code is 7500.