Eskimo Point Lumber Supply/airport Services Ltd

What Eskimo Point Lumber Supply/airport Services Ltd does

EPLS Group of Companies is a family-owned, diversified retail and service conglomerate headquartered in Arviat, Nunavut, founded in 1974 by the St. John family. The group operates as a vertically integrated Northern services platform through multiple wholly-owned subsidiaries: EPLS Home Hardware Building Centre (retail in Arviat, Rankin Inlet, and since November 2025 in Winnipeg South), Katimavik Suites and Nanuq Lodge & Executive Suites (hotels in Arviat and Rankin Inlet totaling roughly 60+ rooms), truck rentals (Toyota Tacoma and Ford F150), EPLS Garage Services (certified automotive repair), EPLS Maintenance & Services (HVAC, electrical, mold remediation, 24/7 emergency), EPLS Cargo & Heavy Equipment Rentals (gravel trucks, dozers, loaders, telehandlers, backhoes), EPLS Freight Forwarding (air freight and seasonal sealift logistics through a Winnipeg warehouse hub), Special Order Desk (B2B wholesale), EPLS Properties (residential and commercial rentals), EPLS Projects (full-spectrum general contracting), and Northern Networks Ltd. (NNL), a 100% Inuit-owned general contracting and government contracting arm.

The company's underlying infrastructure combines air freight and seasonal sealift shipping with warehouse consolidation in Winnipeg to move goods from southern suppliers into Nunavut communities where logistics are constrained. The business model is hybrid: direct-to-consumer retail and hospitality sales at storefronts, quote-based B2B wholesale and construction project work, transactional freight forwarding with 1–2 business day quote response, and recurring property rentals. Pricing is largely unpublished; only truck rentals ($250–$275/day + GST + fuel) and freight forwarding are explicitly disclosed. The firm serves Northern community residents (Inuit and general population of Nunavut), B2B wholesale customers, construction and government clients, and travelers requiring accommodation in remote communities.

EPLS operates across four locations: Arviat (head office), Rankin Inlet (regional hub), Naujaat (newly opened carpentry office), and Winnipeg (southern support office plus the new Home Hardware store). Distribution is omnichannel, combining physical storefronts, online hotel booking via Cloudbeds, online truck rental reservation, and quote-driven freight forwarding and project work. Marketing relies on organic social (Facebook and Instagram pages by location) and the company website. The St. John family retains full ownership with no institutional investment or public listing; Northern Networks Ltd. holds NNI/NTI Level 3 certification and Article 24 Inuit Firm status under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement (certified May 29, 1995), which provides preferred-partner access to government and Inuit organization contracts.

Name

Eskimo Point Lumber Supply/airport Services Ltd

Legal name

EPLS Group of Companies

Website

https://eplsgroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Short description

EPLS Group of Companies is a family-owned diversified conglomerate serving Nunavut's Kivalliq region through retail (Home Hardware), hotels, construction, freight forwarding, heavy equipment rentals, B2B wholesale, and Inuit-owned government contracting via Northern Networks Ltd.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Arviat

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Retail Sales: Retail store operations at Home Hardware Building Centre locations in Arviat and Rankin Inlet, offering groceries, general merchandise, tools, hardware, home improvement, automotive, sporting goods, and seasonal clothing.
2. Hotels & Suites: Hotel accommodations at Katimavik Suites (Arviat and Rankin Inlet) and Nanuq Lodge & Executive Suites (Rankin Inlet), with conference facilities and airport shuttle services.
3. Truck Rentals: Daily vehicle rentals of Toyota Tacoma and Ford F150 trucks for personal and business needs in Arviat and Rankin Inlet.
4. Projects & General Contracting: Full-spectrum project services including funding facilitation, design, build, construction management, and general contracting for residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and civil construction.
5. Cargo & Heavy Equipment Rentals: Air and sea freight services combined with heavy equipment rentals including gravel trucks, tandems, dozers, loaders, skid-steers, telehandlers, and backhoes.
6. Garage Services: Automotive maintenance, repairs, diagnostics, and troubleshooting services at certified repair shops in Arviat and Rankin Inlet.
7. Maintenance & Building Services: Building engineering and maintenance solutions including HVAC, electrical, renovations, mold remediation, and 24/7 emergency services for residential and commercial properties.
8. Special Orders & Wholesale: B2B wholesale and bulk order services for building materials, heating/plumbing supplies, solar kits, vehicle parts, furniture, appliances, and custom apparel.
9. Freight Forwarding: Logistics services connecting southern suppliers to Nunavut communities via air freight and seasonal sealift, including packaging, crating, storage, and home delivery.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

EPLS Group of Companies is a family-owned diversified group operating Home Hardware retail stores, hotels and suites, freight forwarding, construction contracting, building maintenance, garage services, truck rentals, cargo/heavy equipment rentals, special orders, and property leasing across Nunavut's Kivalliq region with a southern hub in Winnipeg. The integrated offering combines retail of essential goods with logistics (air freight and seasonal sealift), construction project management, and hospitality services to deliver a one-stop-shop for Northern communities.

Product overview

EPLS Group of Companies is a family-owned business founded in 1974 (originally Eskimo Point Lumber Supply) operating as a diversified retail and service company in Nunavut's Kivalliq region. The portfolio comprises multiple distinct business units: EPLS Home Hardware Building Centre (retail in Arviat and Rankin Inlet, plus 2025 expansion to Winnipeg South), Katimavik Suites and Nanuq Lodge (hotels/accommodations), truck rentals, garage services, building maintenance and project management, cargo and heavy equipment rentals, EPLS Freight Forwarding (air freight and sealift logistics to Nunavut), Special Order Desk (B2B wholesale), property management, and Northern Networks Ltd. (NNL, an Inuit-owned contracting subsidiary). The company serves Northern communities where resources are limited, providing essential goods and services spanning retail, hospitality, construction, logistics, and property.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• EPLS Home Hardware Building Centre (Arviat) Retail hardware and general merchandise store offering groceries, tools, hardware, building supplies, home improvement products, automotive supplies, sporting goods, seasonal clothing, hunting/fishing gear, firearms and ammunition, and food takeout services in Arviat, Nunavut.
• EPLS Home Hardware Building Centre (Rankin Inlet) Retail hardware and general merchandise store offering groceries, tools, hardware, building supplies, home improvement products, automotive supplies, sporting goods, and seasonal clothing in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut.
• Home Hardware Winnipeg South Retail hardware store offering tools, paint, plumbing and electrical supplies, lawn and garden items, and seasonal home goods for DIY homeowners and professional contractors in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
• Katimavik Suites Hotel accommodations in Arviat (8 suites with conference hall) and Rankin Inlet (27 rooms), offering kitchenette, ensuite bathroom, high-speed internet, satellite TV, laundry facilities, and conference rooms accommodating up to 40 people.
• Katimavik Beach House Luxury accommodation on the shores of Hudson Bay in Arviat featuring 5 suites with shared kitchen, living room with large flatscreen TV, targeting vacation travelers and visitors seeking premium Northern lodging.
• Nanuq Lodge & Executive Suites Hotel accommodations in Rankin Inlet with 9 standard rooms and 6 spacious suites, offering high-speed internet, complimentary airport shuttle, guest kitchen and lounge, fridge, microwave, and non-smoking environment, targeting business travelers and tourists.
• Truck Rentals Daily rental service of Toyota Tacoma and Ford F150 trucks in Arviat ($275/day) and Rankin Inlet ($250/day) for personal errands and business needs, available via online booking platform.
• Projects / Construction Services Full-spectrum project management and general contracting services including funding facilitation, design-build, process management, and budget control for residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and civil construction projects in Northern communities.
• Garage Services Automotive repair and maintenance services with certified mechanics in Arviat and Rankin Inlet, including oil changes, tire rotations, brake inspections, diagnostics, transmission and exhaust repairs, and electrical/electronics troubleshooting.
• Maintenance & Services Building engineering and maintenance solutions for residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional assets, including building assessments, preventative maintenance, HVAC installation and maintenance, renovations, electrical and network services, mold remediation, fuel spill clean-up, and 24/7 emergency services.
• Cargo & Heavy Equipment Rentals Freight marshaling via sealift, airport, and overland transport, combined with heavy equipment rental including gravel trucks, tandems, dozers, loaders, skid-steers, gene-lifts, telehandlers, and backhoes for projects including reservoirs, subdivisions, roads, pads, and docking facilities.
• EPLS Freight Forwarding Logistics service connecting Southern Canada with Nunavut via air freight and seasonal sealift, including priority shipment processing, dangerous goods handling, oversized shipment processing, crating/packaging, storage in Winnipeg warehouse, personal shopping, home delivery, and reverse logistics.
• Special Order Desk B2B wholesale and bulk ordering service for building materials, heating/plumbing supplies, solar energy kits, ATV/snowmobile parts, truck/heavy equipment parts, furniture, appliances, bulk food, custom apparel, cleaning supplies, electronics, and holiday orders, with shipping via air, sealift, overland, or boat.
• Properties Property leasing offering residential and commercial properties in the Kivalliq region, including long-term residential rental units, commercial office space, heated and unheated storage, garage amenities, and multi-unit residential buildings.
• Northern Networks Ltd. (NNL) General contracting, procurement, and government contracting company providing community enhancement projects including roads, water reservoirs, housing pads, docking facilities, sewage lagoons, airport runway resurfacing, and gravel crushing in Qikiqtaaluk, Kivalliq, and Kitikmeot Regions.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SandvikcoreTechnology or Integration · 29 May 1995Strategic partnership with Sandvik, a global engineering company. Part of Northern Networks Ltd preferred partnerships for providing services in Qikiqtaaluk, Kivalliq, and Kitikmeot Regions.
• Grand and ToycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreferred partnership with Grand and Toy for office supplies and equipment through Northern Networks Ltd.
• Petro Canada LubricantscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreferred partnership with Petro Canada Lubricants for industrial and commercial lubricant supply.
• Moreau IndustriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreferred partnership with Moreau Industries through Northern Networks Ltd.
• ERMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreferred partnership with ERM (Environmental Resources Management) for environmental consulting and sustainability services.
• PSLcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreferred partnership with PSL (PSLtd) for equipment and supply services.
• Powertec SolarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreferred partnership with Powertec Solar for solar energy solutions and products in Northern communities.
• HowdencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreferred partnership with Howden for compression and vacuum solutions, part of Chart Industries.
• Thyssen MiningcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreferred partnership with Thyssen Mining for mining equipment and services in Northern regions.
• Prairie HelicopterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreferred partnership with Prairie Helicopters for aerial transport and logistics services.
• Torque's DieselcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreferred partnership with Torque's Diesel for diesel engine repair and service.
• Keewatin AircoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreferred partnership with Keewatin Air for aviation and air transport services in the North.
• Travel NunavutminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEPLS Group of Companies is a member of Travel Nunavut, promoting tourism and travel to Nunavut communities.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Home Hardware Stores Limited: National home-improvement dealer network of which EPLS is a dealer — relevant because EPLS's Home Hardware Building Centres compete with and operate under this banner, and Home Hardware's dealer-program economics shape EPLS retail margins.
• Ledcor Group: Diversified construction, building maintenance, and aviation services group with deep Northern Canadian and remote-project experience — comparable to EPLS Projects, EPLS Maintenance & Services, and Cargo & Heavy Equipment, but at much larger scale.
• Makivik Corporation: Inuit-owned land claim corporation for Nunavik (Northern Quebec), with diversified subsidiaries across aviation, hotels, construction, real estate, and distribution — a structurally comparable Indigenous-owned diversified Northern business, operating in a different territory.

Direct peers

• North West Company: TSX-listed retailer operating Northern/NorthMart stores that sell groceries, hardware, and general merchandise in remote Canadian communities — directly comparable to EPLS Home Hardware Building Centres in Arviat and Rankin Inlet, with similar customer base and supply-chain challenges.
• Canadian North: Northern Canadian airline providing scheduled passenger and cargo services across Nunavut and NWT — directly comparable to EPLS's air freight capabilities and a logical substitute/supplier for the group's freight forwarding business.
• Arctic Co-operatives Limited: Federated co-operative serving member-owned retail outlets across Nunavut and NWT. Operates in the same geography and customer segments as EPLS, including wholesale distribution, food retail, and community-level services in remote Inuit communities.
• Nuna Logistics: Inuit-owned logistics and construction firm serving Northern Canada with freight forwarding, heavy equipment, and project management — directly comparable to EPLS Cargo & Heavy Equipment Rentals, EPLS Freight Forwarding, and Northern Networks Ltd. (NNL).
• NCC (Nunavut Construction Corporation): Nunavut-focused general contractor delivering civil, commercial, and institutional construction across the territory — directly comparable to EPLS Projects and Northern Networks Ltd. (NNL) civil-construction work (roads, reservoirs, airport runways, sewage lagoons).
• Calm Air International: Regional airline providing scheduled passenger, cargo, and charter services throughout Manitoba and Nunavut — comparable to EPLS's air freight arm and a strategic partnership listed in the data (Keewatin Air is the named partner; Calm Air is the closest operational peer).

Regional players

• Qikiqtaaluk Corporation: Inuit-owned holding company for the Qikiqtaaluk Region of Nunavut, with interests in construction, real estate, and services — a natural peer for Northern Networks Ltd., though serving Baffin-region communities rather than EPLS's Kivalliq core.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/EPLSGroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/epls-group-of-companies

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries12 records

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 Eskimo Point Lumber Supply/airport Services Ltd