Two Quebec companies join forces to support a new chapter of growth, efficiency, and energy management
QUEBEC CITY, Sept. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — UgoWork®, a lithium-ion energy solutions provider specializing in the material handling industry, today announced the deployment of its lithium-ion energy management system at Canac’s Drummondville, Quebec distribution center expansion. Nearly 150 years after its founding, Canac enters a new phase of growth, marking what both companies describe as a long-term energy journey.
Reach trucks delivered with UgoWork lithium-ion batteries in the Drummondville DC
By expanding its Drummondville distribution center, Canac is betting on lithium-ion for its new wing. Rather than retrofitting an existing facility, Canac integrated lithium-ion energy into the design of its expansion from the outset making energy infrastructure part of a broader operational decision. Carried out with UgoWork, the deployment treats the battery, charger, and software as a single energy system, designed to support the productivity and operational efficiency of this new building. Day to day, this translates into simplified charging, fewer manual tasks for the teams, and fleet monitoring that shifts from reactive maintenance to continuous cloud-based tracking.
For Canac, this new wing marks the start of a multi-year journey with UgoWork, set to reduce its carbon footprint and track its productivity and operational efficiency over time. It’s a first step in an energy transition carried out in stages.
What also drew Canac to UgoWork was a simpler idea: knowing what is happening with its fleet, as it happens. Through UgoPilot™, UgoWork’s battery and energy management platform, performance visibility shifts from retrospective analysis to real-time insight. While this partnership is still in its early stages, that new level of visibility was a key factor in Canac’s decision.
Beyond the equipment itself, UgoPilot changes what Canac’s team no longer has to guess. Instead of relying on manual checks or reacting once a truck goes down, the platform gives real-time visibility into fleet performance, turning what used to be scattered, after-the-fact information into a clear, ongoing picture. For Canac, this shift from reactive troubleshooting to continuous monitoring was a key factor in choosing UgoWork as its long-term energy partner.
“We’re proud to be writing the first chapter of our relationship with Canac. At UgoWork, we believe energy should be a strategic advantage, not an operational burden. By combining lithium-ion technology, intelligent software and deep operational expertise, we’re helping Canac simplify energy management, gain better visibility into this new wing’s operations, and build a foundation that supports their growth for years to come,” said David Mucciacciaro, CEO of UgoWork.
“Beyond the technology, sourcing locally mattered to us just as much : working with a Quebec company willing to show us the solution in action before we committed. Seeing it perform firsthand, in a short trial run at our own site, was what gave us the confidence to move forward. UgoWork’s transparency throughout the process, combined with access to clear data on our fleet’s performance, now allows us to manage our energy in a much more informed way and we’re confident this collaboration will continue to deliver value in the years ahead,” said Raphaële Dumont, Director, Fleet and Delivery, at Canac.
About Canac
CANAC is the first independent hardware and building materials chain to emerge in Quebec. In 2026, it celebrated more than 150 years of history and today counts 37 branches across the province. Its expertise allows it to carry on the spirit of hardware stores of the past in an ultra-modern environment. CANAC serves both individual consumers and contractors, offering aggressive prices that defy any competition.
Since its acquisition by Groupe Laberge in 1985, the company’s expansion has focused on opening new modern hardware stores and renovating existing branches to better adapt them to consumer needs and expectations. The opening and progressive commissioning of a brand-new 625,000 sq. ft. building at the Drummondville distribution campus, the recent opening of its 37th branch in Magog in June 2026, and the upcoming inauguration of a 38th branch in Anjou in 2027 all reflect this commitment and align with the growth vision and future outlook of its leadership. At the height of the season, CANAC employs close to 5,700 part-time and full-time workers.
canac.com
About UgoWork
UgoWork is on a mission to eliminate energy waste in the material handling industry. We develop smart lithium-ion forklift batteries and charging infrastructure engineered for the real world: non-stop pressure, tough warehouse conditions, and constant changes on the floor. Beyond products, we address every energy challenge—from understanding power consumption and grid constraints to optimizing asset life and managing large-scale fleet transitions.
We’re vertically integrated, so we control the entire experience, from manufacturing to deployment to service, and training, including plug-and-play integration with your fleet and facility systems. UL Listed and OEM-approved, our solutions are proven safe and the easiest to use.
From our base in Québec, Canada, we power some of the largest S&P 500 and Fortune 500 operations across North America—making lift truck energy one less thing to worry about. Learn more at ugowork.com.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b0434534-ee2a-45a2-958c-15098eac9768
CONTACT: MEDIA INQUIRIES Jean-François Marchand Marketing Director jf.marchand@ugowork.com
