History
1991
TRAK Engineering was founded in 1991 in Thunder Bay, Ontario by Jeff Maxwell as an engineering and design firm. Originating from work in the pulp and paper industry, TRAK started designing energy-efficient systems for schools, healthcare facilities and municipal buildings across northern Ontario that utilized geoexchange complemented with solar and other heat recovery methods.
2000
TRAK Canada won the Natural Resources Canada award for the most energy-efficient building in Canada, the Northwood Lodge Home for The Aged in Red Lake, Ontario.
TRAK relocated to Burlington, Ontario for family reasons and, using what had been learned in the public sector in Northern Ontario to develop a program that would fund the provision of energy-efficient retrofits based on win-win cash flow agreements. While the business model and technical methods are sound, the partnership entered at the time proved to be incompatible.
TRAK then was called upon to design and provide the geoexchange and controls for a major 236-unit resort project in Kelowna, British Columbia. The energy-efficient and environmentally beneficial project does not use any natural gas and according to Natural Resources Canada was modelled to be the most energy-efficient multi-residential project that year.
Afterward, TRAK relocated to Kelowna and specialized in the design/build of mechanical systems for resorts and multi-residential buildings primarily in British Columbia, Canada. Complementary companies under the umbrella name TRAK Canada were formed to provide special manufacturing of large, hydronic heat pump modules, energy transfer devices, control devices and provide the overall construction for our projects. TRAK’s focus on high-quality, centralized GeoExchange-based heating and cooling systems resulted in numerous awards and earned TRAK the recognition as a leader in this modern HVAC/R technology. With up to 60+ employees, TRAK was locally nominated, and a panel of business experts judged TRAK as a finalist for large business of the year.
2008
TRAK’s growth and skills attracted the attention of Harris Companies (USA), and in April of 2008, TRAK International succeeded TRAK Canada as a new division of Harris Companies. With offices in St. Paul, Minnesota, Kelowna, British Columbia, and coordinating with other Harris subsidiaries, TRAK International primarily served across the US market. Harris Companies is one of North America’s leading mechanical contractors. In 2009, Phc News announced Harris Companies as Contractor of the Year (USA). In 2010, Engineering News-Record placed Harris 13th of the mechanical firms in the USA. Some of TRAK’s green projects and its modern energy-efficient designs were featured in the Harris awards.
2012
In our efforts to be at the forefront of energy efficiency and reliability, TRAK International followed and studied the development and implementation of combined heat and power (CHP) cogeneration systems. In 2012, TRAK completed a $6M award-winning contract that combined TRAK’s GeoExchange and energy-efficient methods with a cogeneration system (provided by others) in the Greater Toronto Area at the Residences of Spring Hill in King City.
In August 2013, TRAK International became once again a wholly Canadian-owned company as TRAK International Green Energy Resources Inc. (T.I.G.E.R.).
2013
In June 2014, TRAK International formed a partnership with Florida-based 2G ENERGY to provide innovative clean on-site electricity generation, heating, cooling and ice plant technologies to commercial, manufacturing and industrial clients. In 2015, the first cogeneration complement to the TRAK HVAC/R Smart Energy System (SES) was provided to a Northern Ontario municipal ice facility. Various projects would follow in Ontario where TRAK studied, designed and successfully built energy-efficient SES in the emerging medical marijuana industry and other industries and multi-residential projects.
2014
In February 2019, TRAK International formed a strategic alliance with Toronto-based Braingrid to enable precision grow environments for agribusiness producers and commence research and application of data science, machine learning and artificial intelligence for more enhancements and semi-automated control of interior space.
2019
2021
In April 2021, TRAK International formed a strategic alliance with Markham-based Smart ONE Solutions to integrate TRAK's SES with their digital interface for residents to access all the features of their MURB community and suite.
TRAK has various long-standing equipment and construction partnerships for projects across North America and is continually building new relationships.
In October 2021, TRAK International is awarded the 2022 Clean50 Top Project for its Smart Energy System in the 8 Haus Boutique Condo in Toronto. Through careful design, 8 Haus offsets ongoing annual energy costs around 47% and achieved an Energy Use Intensity and Green House Gas Intensity that exceeds the Toronto Green Standard v3 Tier 3 and Tier 2 requirements.
2022
2023
In October 2022, TRAK International formed a strategic alliance with EnPowered to obtain turnkey solutions make energy projects easy for clients: No upfront cost and net savings from day one. Having access to multiple financing options that meet different needs to gain the power of energy efficiency and clean energy solutions without incurring the financial burden.
In April 2023 TRAK International formed a strategic alliance with Renew Energy Partners to finance complex decarbonization projects for clients.
TRAK's President & CEO, Jeffrey Maxwell, P.Eng. is recognized as a Canada Clean50 Honoree for Building: Design, Development & Management. Optimally integrating onsite electricity generation, heat recovery and thermal energy storage to deliver and sustain ideal, safe, building environments, Jeff and his team are integrating state-of-the-art HVAC systems into new Multi-Unit Residential Buildings (MURBs) and delivering unparalleled performance. Since 2020, TRAK’s Smart Energy System (SES) has been designed into seven new Ontario MURB projects, totalling 2,123 suites and 1.8 million square feet. These projects are modelled to achieve an annual energy savings of 58.9 million kWh, equating to 9,600 tonnes of CO2e GHG reduction compared to conventional HVAC systems. TRAK’s SES features a comprehensive list of technologies: geoexchange, centralized heat pumps, internal and exhaust heat recovery, fan coil / radiant distribution and storage, onsite combined heat & power (CHP) generation and energy management controls.
