Tire distributor Unimax is investing in expanding its network capacity across Eastern Canada.

Jean Novak, President and Chief Executive Officer of Unimax, has long been clear about his strategy to solidify the company’s presence in key Canadian markets while offering customers a stronger tire selection. At its core, this strategy means better service and faster, more reliable product availability across every territory.

Concrete actions and significant investments are backing up this vision.

An example is the 2023 agreement with North Country Tire, a major distributor operating primarily in British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba, which strengthened Unimax’s position in Western Canada. The two companies had already been working together for several years, and for Novak, that kind of established, well-respected partnership is exactly the right foundation for continued growth.

Unimax has deep roots in Quebec, where its partnership with Stox has provided solid distribution coverage for years. That presence has gradually expanded into Ontario and Atlantic Canada, creating a strong base the distributor now intends to build on. The strategy has always been to do things right, by supporting the product offering with a thorough analysis of market needs.

Supporting growth in the East
Unimax is currently rolling out a series of concrete initiatives to strengthen its presence in Ontario. “We want to bring inventory closer to our customers and increase our operational capacity where demand warrants it,” says Novak. Both past and upcoming investments reflect this reality and Unimax’s determination to deepen its presence in the region.

Ontario is currently a key market, both in terms of volume and the diversity of its customer base. Unimax already has a team on the ground there, recently bolstered by a dedicated regional leader. This structure enables close, hands-on work in the field and supports more agile decision-making in response to the constant changes in this particularly dynamic market.

“Being in Ontario matters. It lets us build stronger relationships with our customers and make sure they have access to the best possible product portfolio,” says Novak.

Investments in Eastern Canada are therefore aimed at increasing storage capacity, improving product availability and enhancing the overall experience for both current and future customers. In other words, Unimax is putting infrastructure in place.

Bricks and mortar
To meet the demand for more products and faster execution, Unimax has launched or completed several major projects for the 2026–2027 period. First, the Ottawa distribution centre has been operational since early 2026, immediately improving coverage in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec for the distributor.

Our investments in Eastern Canada are guided by a single priority: better serving our customers. More capacity, more products, and faster execution — that’s exactly what the market is asking of us, and that’s what we’re delivering. – Jean Novak, President and Chief Executive Officer, Unimax.

Sudbury, for its part, will be home to a brand-new facility designed to support growth in that territory, with an opening planned for early 2027.

The new Vaughan facility, dedicated to RSSW tires and wheels, will open in late spring 2026. This means approximately 175,000 wheels and 160,000 tires will become accessible to the greater Toronto area.

Novak notes that the 2025 acquisition of the RSSW division supports Unimax’s vision of becoming a Canadian leader in tire distribution by adding steel and alloy wheel offerings to its catalogue.

A portion of the new Vaughan building will be reserved for these wheels, streamlining inventory management and optimizing distribution across Ontario, Novak adds.

Quebec is not being overlooked: Unimax has invested in a major expansion of its Chicoutimi facility, set to be operational in fall 2026, adding 25,000 units of storage capacity.

Getting closer to customers
In Atlantic Canada, Bedford, near Halifax, saw its capacity increase by 30,000 units with its 2025 expansion. If there were any doubt about Unimax’s commitment to service, Newfoundland puts it to rest: a new distribution centre opened in Pasadena in 2025, capable of storing 24,000 units.

“What we’re doing in Newfoundland is a great illustration of our vision. We offer a service built on solution-oriented people, giving Newfoundlanders fast access to our products,” says Novak. A facility with that kind of storage capacity on the island naturally transforms service quality and significantly reduces delivery times for customers across all categories.

In total, all of these projects will add 294,000 units of additional capacity in Eastern Canada.

Meeting every need
President Novak believes that better tire and wheel availability paired with a proximity distribution strategy is a win for everyone: retailers, dealerships, tire and mechanical shops, and Point S merchants alike.

“These entrepreneurs who are well established in their communities want quality products from us, but they also want service,” adds Novak. “We are passionate about this industry and we work with experts and professionals. Every action we take, every investment we make, is aimed at strengthening the quality of our business relationships with all our customers.”

This deep understanding of each market’s needs is what will drive Unimax’s growth in Eastern Canada and beyond. “The growth and long-term sustainability of our network depend on our ability to supply it with quality products, at the right time and in the right place, for all of our customers, wherever they may be,” concludes Novak.