Designing The Future
Emco Corporation draws on its 120-year legacy to not only serve its clients but shape the future of the industry.
By Samantha Vecchiarelli
EMCO Corporation, founded in 1906, is one of Canada’s leading distributors of plumbing and related building products, with a national network that supports fast, regional fulfillment for its growing client base. As EMCO approaches its 120th anniversary, the brand balances heritage and innovation. Renowned as Canada’s trusted distribution backbone, EMCO is a powerful trade partner with a wide range of products across plumbing, waterworks, industrial, and HVAC. By blending national supply strength with the local expertise of its showrooms, EMCO smooths the path for designers, contractors, and homeowners from concept to completion.
EMCO’s showrooms—branded as The Ensuite—were established in 2002 to give the company’s trade clients a dedicated, specification-friendly space for new-home buyers to select decorative plumbing fixtures during the building boom in London, Ontario. The portfolio now includes the Kohler Signature Store, the House of Rohl Studio by EMCO, Aquavato and 23 additional Ensuites across Ontario. “These showrooms are a core differentiator,” says studio manager Jennifer Vander Meer. “We’re local, but not generic: our inventory is shaped by market intelligence and customer-led demand, not by stocking everything everywhere. Our baseline for matching customer needs is in the 95th percentile, and we’re very proud of that.”
Vander Meer notes that EMCO’s regional view allows it to better support its customers. “As a result, we can draw from other locations within EMCO to service clients from their preferred location. If the project is in another city, we can cross-dock the order while keeping the local sales rep as the point of contact.”
As The Ensuite brand grows, it continues to honour its trade roots while embracing new ways to connect, create, and lead—particularly through initiatives for interior designers. Educational support such as Studio Sessions, hosted by Aquavato, was created to help empower the next generation of design professionals with the knowledge they’re seeking. These sessions provide valuable in-person learning that bolsters business development and stronger professional networks. This level of showroom-led client service, design collaboration, and commitment fosters a productive environment between EMCO and its clients while helping the industry grow.
“We’re local, but not generic: our inventory is shaped by market intelligence and customer-led demand, not by stocking everything everywhere.“
To streamline processes, EMCO has invested in digital tools to support a future-forward, tech-savvy experience. “Our trade clients can purchase online,” explains Vander Meer. “This improves efficiency, as they can access our inventory catalogue and build orders in real time—even outside business hours. Clients can even send a screenshot of a handwritten job-site order, and we’ll process it through our system, turning it into a completed order in minutes.”
Vander Meer notes that the brand is constantly learning and growing as it looks ahead to a shifting landscape. “We’ve always invested in meeting our clients where they are,” she says, praising EMCO’s reliability and longevity through changing times and fluctuating markets as a trusted partner that consistently invests in its businesses to help trade clients grow.
As EMCO steps into its next chapter, its focus remains on strengthening relationships, advancing technology, and empowering those who build Canada’s spaces. With innovation rooted in tradition, EMCO continues to shape not only the future of the trade but the foundation of the communities it
proudly serves.