Making Maintenance Easy at The North West Company

Located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, The North West Company is a leading retailer that serves some of the most remote communities in the world—including areas in Northern Canada, Alaska, the South Caribbean, and the South Pacific. From blueberries to snowmobiles, they supply it all!

Their Manitoba distribution center utilizes a wide range of equipment, including battery-operated heavy-duty material handling systems. When it came time to upgrade their facility’s maintenance capabilities, they turned to Acculift for a solution built for power, flexibility, and future growth.

The CHALLENGE

The North West Company’s maintenance team struggled with an outdated one-ton crane setup. The system didn’t offer the capacity or flexibility needed to safely and efficiently service their fleet of battery-powered equipment and material handling assets.

Their technicians were often slowed down by lift limitations and workspace constraints.

They needed a heavy-duty lifting solution that could:

Safely lift heavier components, including batteries and crated machinery parts.
Maximize efficiency in a compact workspace with space restrictions.
Improve safety and speed for regular maintenance operations.

The SOLUTION

Working closely with maintenance manager JP and their engineering partners at Crozier Kilgore, Acculift designed and installed a 2-ton capacity Workstation Crane tailored to fit the facility’s structural parameters. The crane spans a work bay, enabling simultaneous operations and significantly improving workflow efficiency.

Key features of the solution included:

2-ton capacity to handle large equipment components with ease
Engineered to maximize hook height and usable reach
Modular design for potential repositioning or upgrades in the future
Enclosed track system for smooth, precise load positioning
Complete installation within five weeks from order to on-site delivery
Electric chain hoists matched for optimal lifting speed and control
Ergonomic pendant controls with emergency stop feature
High lift range to service elevated battery systems and tall crates

“We use it for battery maintenance, lifting material handling equipment, and pulling heavy parts from crates. The install went smooth, and the whole team is happy with the setup. No complaints.”
JP Lavallee – Maintenance Manager at North West Company

The RESULTS

Since the installation, North West Company’s maintenance team has experienced a significant boost in efficiency and safety. The upgraded crane system now allows technicians to complete maintenance tasks faster, with less manual effort, and without bottlenecks.

This custom crane has become a cornerstone of North West Company’s maintenance workflow—empowering their team to keep operations running smoothly.