Case Studies
Proven Success Stories
Atlantic Lifts has completed hundreds of projects across Canada, each one showcasing our legendary reliability, niche expertise, and standout execution. Below are some flagship examples with more detail:
Pearson International Airport
Food Handling at 24/7 Capacity
Client & Challenge
Toronto’s Pearson Airport—Canada’s busiest airport—needed ultra-reliable freight elevators to move large volumes of in-flight meals and catering supplies. With flights arriving and departing at all hours, any downtime in the food-handling process could cause expensive delays and customer service issues.
Our Solution
Atlantic Lifts designed and installed a series of heavy-duty freight elevators (20,000 lbs capacity) specifically for continuous, round-the-clock operation. We incorporated redundant electrical systems and extra-rugged components to handle thousands of daily cycles without fail.
Results
These elevators have seamlessly moved massive loads of food and catering supplies day in and day out for years with minimal downtime.
The airport avoided disruptions to critical schedules, saving millions in potential flight-delay costs.
Pearson’s facilities team cites the reliability and ease of maintenance as major improvements over their previous equipment.
Ontario Food Terminal
Reliability in a High-Throughput Hub
Client & Challenge
The Ontario Food Terminal in Toronto is one of North America’s largest wholesale produce distribution centers. It operates nearly nonstop, moving tens of thousands of pounds of fruits and vegetables from ground level to various warehouse units for distribution.
Atlantic’s Involvement
We’ve become the preferred supplier for the Terminal’s freight elevators and material lifts over the years. In fact, out of 43 freight elevators on-site, Atlantic Lifts built 41. This includes both large freight elevators and simpler material lifts used by different vendors.
Key Success Factors
Maximum Durability
Each lift is engineered to withstand daily, high-volume usage in a wet, fast-paced environment.
Proactive Maintenance Program
We coordinate a strict maintenance schedule with the facility, ensuring potential issues are caught before they become problems.
Results
The Food Terminal enjoys smooth, uninterrupted operation, crucial for handling perishable goods.
Even with around-the-clock use, Atlantic’s elevators have minimal downtime and show remarkable longevity—still running after decades with only routine maintenance.
"Our long-term partnership with the Terminal underscores our reliability and service-first approach."
—Danny, Facility Manager at Ontario Food Terminal
Stellantis Windsor Assembly Plant
Rapid Execution for Auto Manufacturing
Client & Challenge
Stellantis (formerly FCA/Chrysler) runs a massive assembly plant in Windsor, Ontario. In 2023, they faced a tight production launch deadline for new vehicles and required nine massive freight elevators—each handling 10,000 lb pallets of auto parts, cycling roughly every 45 seconds.
Our Solution
We mobilized our engineering and fabrication teams to custom-design, build, and install nine heavy-duty freight elevators with advanced features: forklift-mounted controls, sensors preventing operation unless a forklift is properly docked, and robust structural hoistway enclosures.
We committed to an aggressive 12-week turnaround from design kick-off to final commissioning, an extremely short timeline for equipment of this scale.
Timeline & Execution
Kickoff to Handover
Under 3 months total—virtually unheard of in the elevator industry.
Our in-house manufacturing eliminated the need to wait on overseas components, and our installation crews worked around the clock to meet Stellantis’s schedule.
Results
The Windsor Assembly Plant launched production on time, avoiding costly delays that could have totaled millions.
The project’s success attracted attention in Elevator World magazine, highlighting Atlantic Lifts’ unmatched speed and reliability.
Atlantic lift installed 9 freight elevators at the Chrysler Windsor assembly plant. They managed to deliver all elevators on time, including the installation in a tight schedule as promised without compromising the build quality. Wes Powers and his crew continue to support us whenever we are in an emergency situation, Project engineer at Stellantis
Hallmark & Superior Poultry
Food Processing Plants
Clients
Hallmark Poultry and Superior Poultry are large-scale food processing facilities in Western Canada. Both plants rely on very high-capacity freight elevators to handle a constant flow of product 24/7. Any downtime would threaten daily output and create a logistical nightmare.
Our Contribution
Atlantic Lifts installed some of Canada’s largest freight elevators at these sites, two 13,000lb and one 23,000lb with 15’ tall bi-parting doors—each designed to handle extremely heavy loads every hour of the day. Our installation teams coordinated meticulously with the plants’ schedules to ensure minimal disruption.
Reliability Focus
Despite running 24/7, these elevators have maintained an exceptional uptime rate, requiring only scheduled preventative maintenance.
The plants’ high throughput demands are met consistently thanks to the robust design and careful installation.
Results
Flawless performance since turnover—almost perfect reliability even under continuous operation.
Substantial improvement in overall facility efficiency, as materials and product bins move quickly without elevator-related delays.
Word-of-mouth referrals within the broader food industry have cemented Atlantic Lifts’ reputation for delivering on large-scale, mission-critical projects.
“Working with them to install three massive freight elevators and two other material lifts was one of the best decisions we’ve made. They handled every step—from planning to installation—with a level of care that’s hard to come by. What really sets them apart is the ongoing service: they keep everything running 24/7 so we never have to stress about downtime. In fact, they were the easiest trade to work with throughout the entire project, and now they’re the only company we’d trust to install or maintain our freight elevators.”
—Maintenance Supervisor at Hallmark Poultry
Canadian Tire Retail Distribution
Streamlining Retail Logistics
Client
Canadian Tire, a major retail chain with stores and distribution centers nationwide, needs efficient vertical movement of inventory to keep up with seasonal surges and everyday restocking.
Atlantic’s Solutions
We’ve partnered with Canadian Tire on over 300 projects, providing material lifts suited for backroom-to-mezzanine or warehouse-to-sales-floor transitions.
Each lift is standardized to store layouts and capacity needs, ensuring minimal disruption to daily operations.
Impact
Faster restocking and safer handling of goods during peak seasons (e.g., patio furniture in spring, tires in winter).
Consistent elevator designs and controls across multiple store locations for easier staff training.
Reduced downtime and maintenance overhead, thanks to Atlantic Lifts’ commitment to quality and ongoing support.
Highlight
By standardizing Atlantic Lifts in many facilities, Canadian Tire has significantly improved logistics efficiency.
This long-term collaboration underscores our track record of reliable service, delivered on time and within budget.