Residential Product Line

• Instant hot water on-demand

About giant

Giant is a Canadian manufacturer of residential and commercial water heaters, with two manufacturing facilities located in Montreal. Known for producing water heaters engineered specifically for cold-climate performance, Giant became one of Canada's most trusted and recognized names in the water heating industry over the course of more than seven decades.

Founded in 1945 as a family-run business, Giant Electric Manufacturing Co. launched its first handmade water heater models in 1957. In 1967, founder Lucien Lesage's son Claude Lesage took over the company, and in 1969 Giant acquired Westinghouse's Hamilton, Ontario operations, integrating their electrical element production line into Giant's Montreal-East plant.

By 1970 and 1971, Giant had redefined its position in the Canadian market and became the largest manufacturer of immersion heating elements in Canada. In 1973, facing its first steel crisis, the company made the pivotal decision to produce its own tanks, installing a firing kiln capable of producing more than 200 water heaters per day. This new vitrification process also improved tank quality and extended the lifespan of their products.

The company received ISO 9002 certification in 1997 and demonstrated a commitment to environmental responsibility by building its water heaters with water-based insulation. Through the late 1990s and 2000s, Giant steadily expanded its product lineup to include oil-fired and gas-fired water heaters, and worked alongside a consortium called FVIR to develop technological innovations in response to major changes in North American safety standards.

In 2010, Giant collaborated with Hydro-Quebec to develop the more energy-efficient ECOPEAK product line, and in 2011 expanded its geographic reach by entering the United States market. Giant's product lineup grew to include electric, gas, tankless, heat pump, indirect-fired, oil-fired, and solar-compatible models, all certified by CSA, Energy Star, and EnerGuide.

In 2021, after 76 years as a family-run business, Giant was acquired by A.O. Smith for US$192 million. The acquisition expanded A.O. Smith's presence in the Canadian water heater market and supported the company's decarbonization efforts, as Giant's products are primarily served by a hydro-sourced, non-carbon-intensive energy grid. Despite the change in ownership, Giant continues to operate under its own brand and remains a leading name in Canadian water heating.