Beyond the Battery: How Canac and UgoWork Are Powering a Logistics Shift

QUEBEC CITY, QC – September 10, 2026 – At first glance, the news that Quebec hardware giant Canac selected a local firm, UgoWork, to supply lithium-ion batteries for its new Drummondville distribution center expansion seems straightforward. It’s a classic story of industrial procurement. But looking deeper reveals a far more significant narrative. This isn't merely a component swap; it's a foundational decision to architect an entire facility around an integrated energy philosophy, marking a pivotal moment in how modern logistics operations view power—not as a consumable, but as a strategic, data-driven asset.

For nearly 150 years, Canac has adapted to the changing tides of retail. Its latest move, a massive 625,000-square-foot expansion of its Drummondville campus, is its most ambitious yet. Rather than retrofitting an existing building with new batteries, Canac made the critical choice to embed UgoWork’s energy management system into the very blueprint of its new wing. This decision signals a departure from the industry’s long-held reactive approach to energy and a leap into proactive, intelligent power management.

The Strategic Shift to Integrated Energy Management

The core of this partnership lies in a fundamental redefinition of what a “battery” is. UgoWork’s deployment treats the battery, charger, and software as a single, cohesive system. This integrated approach moves beyond the simple provision of power to create an ecosystem of operational intelligence. The days of relying on manual checks or reacting only when a lift truck grinds to a halt are over for Canac’s new wing.

At the heart of this transformation is UgoWork’s UgoPilot™, a cloud-based energy and battery management platform. This software turns what was once scattered, after-the-fact information into a clear, continuous stream of real-time data. For Canac’s operations team, guesswork is replaced with visibility. They can monitor the performance of the entire fleet, track energy consumption patterns, and receive alerts before a potential issue leads to costly downtime. This shift from reactive troubleshooting to continuous monitoring was a decisive factor for the hardware retailer.

"We're proud to be writing the first chapter of our relationship with Canac," said David Mucciacciaro, CEO of UgoWork. "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."

Unlocking Efficiency: The Tangible ROI of Smart Power

Canac’s nine-figure investment in the Drummondville expansion demands maximum efficiency to deliver a return. The choice of UgoWork’s lithium-ion system is a direct play to secure that ROI. The operational benefits extend far beyond simply eliminating the hazardous fumes and acid spills of legacy lead-acid batteries.

First, there is the matter of throughput. Lithium-ion batteries provide consistent voltage throughout a discharge cycle, meaning forklifts operate at full speed until they need a charge. This eliminates the gradual slowdown that plagues lead-acid-powered fleets. Combined with the ability to “opportunity charge” during short breaks—eliminating the time-consuming process of swapping out 3,000-pound batteries—the potential for productivity gains is substantial, with some industry studies showing improvements of up to 22%.

Second, the economic case is compelling. While the upfront investment is higher, the total cost of ownership (TCO) is significantly lower. Lithium-ion systems are up to 30% more energy-efficient and last two to four times longer than their lead-acid counterparts. For a multi-shift operation like a distribution center, this translates into dramatic savings on energy bills and replacement costs. Furthermore, by eliminating the need for dedicated, ventilated battery charging rooms, Canac reclaims thousands of square feet of valuable floor space within its new facility—space that can be used for revenue-generating activities like storage or staging.

A Quebec Power Play: Why Local Sourcing Matters

In an increasingly globalized world, Canac’s emphasis on a local partnership is telling. Both companies are headquartered in Quebec, a fact that proved to be more than a point of provincial pride—it was a key strategic consideration.

"Beyond the technology, sourcing locally mattered to us just as much," noted Raphaële Dumont, Director of Fleet and Delivery at Canac. The ability to work with a Quebec company willing to prove its solution on-site was critical. "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."

This collaboration underscores a growing trend of strengthening regional supply chains to de-risk operations and foster local innovation. The partnership supports Quebec’s burgeoning status as a hub for sustainable industrial technology, bolstered by support from provincial entities like Investissement Québec, which is also a backer of UgoWork. It’s a powerful example of how regional champions can collaborate to build a more resilient and technologically advanced industrial base.

A Harbinger of an Industry-Wide Transition

The Canac-UgoWork deal is a microcosm of a much larger shift occurring across the material handling industry. The sector is at a tipping point, rapidly moving away from internal combustion and lead-acid power. The market share for lithium-ion in material handling is projected to triple by 2030, and its adoption is a key pillar in the broader electrification of logistics.

This transition is driven by a confluence of factors: corporate sustainability mandates, rising operational costs, and a sophisticated understanding of TCO. Companies are realizing that the lowest upfront price is rarely the most cost-effective solution over the long term. UgoWork’s “Energy as a Service” (EaaS) model, which bundles hardware and software, exemplifies this new paradigm. The conversation is no longer about the battery itself, but about the reliability, data, and efficiency of the entire energy infrastructure.

As Canac continues its aggressive expansion—with new stores recently opened or planned in Magog, Laval, and Anjou—the Drummondville deployment will serve as a critical testbed. Its success will likely inform the energy strategy for the retailer’s entire network of 37 branches and future growth. This “first chapter” is more than just a press release; it’s a blueprint for how to power the next generation of logistics.