1926
Robertson Janitorial Ltd. began as a small, reliable cleaning service supporting Quebec City’s growing economic landscape. With a focus on consistency and care, the company steadily grew.
Our History
Built on decades of expertise, innovation, and service excellence, our history reflects the strength of leading janitorial and commercial service companies coming together as one.
1933
During the height of the great depression, Ainsworth Inc. was started by brothers F.C. and C.J. Ainsworth in 1933. Their beginnings included just industrial services including installation, maintenance and repair of electrical equipment.
1936-1944
Ainsworth expanded into electrical construction across Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes. In 1944, they made another move forward, creating a complete motor and transformer repair service.
1946-1953
In 1946, Robertson Janitorial grew its presence in Québec City and expanded into Montreal to meet rising demand for cleaning and maintenance services.
The Ainsworth brothers also incorporated Ainsworth Electric Co. Limited, in 1946, and established four distinct divisions: Construction, Industrial, Motor and Transformer, and Electrical Apparatus Sales, supported by an office and accounting section. In 1953, their expansion continued with the creation of the Estimating and Engineering Division.
1957
Ainsworth built its head office at 131 Bermondsey Rd which would become and remain Ainsworth’s head office in Toronto today.
1958-1986
Over the next few decades, Ainsworth became one of Toronto’s largest electrical contractors, completing major projects like the SkyDome (now known as Rogers Centre) in Toronto, and employing over 700 electricians.
1987 - 1989
Robertson Janitorial Ltd. changed its name to ‘‘Service d’entretien Distinction Inc.’’ in 1987 and to ‘‘Distinction Group Inc.’’ in 1989 as its business expanded.
2007-2009
Distinction Group Inc. became a publicly traded company on the TSX in November 2007 following its amalgamation with 9184-0561 Quebec Inc., a subsidiary of Dacha Capital Inc. In 2008, the company expanded beyond Quebec by acquiring Omni Facility Services Canada and strengthened its damage restoration capabilities with the purchase of Steamatic Metropolitan Inc. In 2009, Distinction further diversified into mechanical maintenance through the acquisitions of Immotik Inc. and Immotik Electrik Inc.
2011-2012
Birch Hill formed Clean Holdings Inc. in 2011 to privatize Distinction Group Inc. By early 2012, Distinction Group became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Clean Holdings through an amalgamation with Clean Acquisition Inc. and 9253-6184 Quebec Inc.
That year, Clean Holdings acquired Industries de Maintenance Empire Commanditaire Inc., expanding operations into Ontario and Eastern Canada. Distinction also entered the U.S. janitorial market with the acquisition of OFS North American Inc. and OFS Acquisition Inc., while strengthening its Canadian presence with acquisitions in Calgary and Winnipeg.
2013
On January 1, 2013, Clean Holdings reorganized and adopted the name GDI Integrated Facility Services Inc. (English) and GDI Services aux immeubles inc. (French). In 2013, GDI also entered the janitorial and sanitation supplies market with Superior Solutions in Ontario and expanded in Western Canada with Servpro Cleaning (Calgary) Inc. and Western Maintenance (Edmonton) Ltd.
2014
GDI began a period of transformative growth in 2014, expanding U.S. operations through acquisitions of Matrix, L.L.C. and Cardinal Building Maintenance, Inc., and reinforcing its Ontario presence with Ability Janitorial Services (Ottawa) Ltd. The company also diversified by acquiring Atelier Multi Expert (2003) Inc., creating a dedicated cleaning equipment maintenance division.
2015
GDI accelerated expansion with several acquisitions: OSS Services, LLC and OSS Management, LLC in the U.S.; Produits Sany Inc., a Canadian janitorial products distributor; and Asbury Building Services Inc. in Ontario. On May 15, 2015, GDI returned to the public markets, listing on the TSX (TSX: GDI).
The most significant milestone came on November 6, 2015, with the acquisition of Ainsworth Inc., a Canadian leader in multi-trade technical services. Ainsworth brought expertise in mechanical, HVAC-R, electrical, cabling, and high-voltage systems, positioning GDI as one of North America’s largest facility services providers.
2016
Ainsworth continued expansion further with the acquisition of Direct Energy Business Services Ltd. (Airtron Canada), adding advanced building automation, energy efficiency, and remote monitoring capabilities.
2017- 2018
Growth continued through strategic acquisitions. In 2017, Ainsworth acquired Poleair Technical Inc., a leading refrigeration and HVAC provider in Sarnia, Ontario, while GDI Services Inc. strengthened its U.S. janitorial presence with Seattle Building Maintenance Inc.
In 2018, Ainsworth entered the U.S. technical services market with Mechanical Design & Installation, LLC (MDI) in Detroit. Additional acquisitions followed: BSD Solutions Ltd. in Winnipeg, specializing in Building Automation Systems; Simpkin Mechanical Inc. and Simpkin Electrical Contractors Ltd. in Montréal; and Gordon Latham Ltd. in Vancouver, enhancing service capabilities across multi-residential, industrial, and commercial facilities. GDI also expanded its janitorial footprint in Pittsburgh and grew its Canadian distribution network through Superior Solutions’ acquisition of Équipement Sanitaire Cherbourg (1977) Inc. in Sherbrooke, Québec.
2019
GDI strengthened its North American presence through strategic acquisitions in janitorial and technical services. On January 1, GDI Services Inc. expanded in the U.S. with AMPM Facility Services Corp. in Boston. On April 1, Ainsworth broadened its technical capabilities with Digicon Building Control Solutions Limited in Nova Scotia and T.S.M. Limited in Ontario, adding expertise in building automation and multi-trade services.
On April 26, GDI exited the damage restoration business by selling Steamatic Metropolitan Inc., sharpening its focus on core services. Growth continued through the summer with Ainsworth acquiring Barcol Controls Ltd. in Manitoba on August 1, and GDI Services Inc. adding Commercial Cleaning Company in Maine on September 1. Ainsworth expanded again on October 1 with Airco Ltd. in Sudbury, and GDI closed the year by acquiring National Corporate Housekeeping Services Inc. (NCH) in Mississauga on December 1.
2020
On January 15, Ainsworth completed the acquisition of ESC Automation Inc. and its U.S. subsidiaries, Delta Connects Inc. and New Patriot Energy Inc. Operating from 12 regional offices, ESC is a leading building systems integrator offering automation, security, HVAC, and advanced technologies such as real-time locating systems and building analytics. This acquisition positioned Ainsworth as a master systems integrator across Canada and key U.S. states, including Washington, Oregon, New Jersey, and New York.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, GDI implemented enhanced cleaning protocols across all facilities to protect building occupants and ensure safer environments. These measures focused on high-touch disinfection, improved air quality, and stricter hygiene standards, reinforcing GDI’s commitment to health and safety.
2021
Ainsworth significantly expanded its U.S. operations. In January, it acquired The BPAC Group Inc. and subsidiaries—BP Mechanical, BP Air Conditioning, and Legacy Insulation—one of New York City’s largest mechanical service providers. On September 1, Ainsworth added Enginuity, LLC, an engineering and mechanical contracting firm in Pennsylvania specializing in complex industrial piping and design-build projects.
Also in September, Superior Solutions acquired assets of Fuller Industries, LLC, establishing GDI’s first U.S. presence in cleaning products manufacturing and distribution. In December, GDI expanded its U.S. janitorial operations with IH Services, a leading provider for industrial, distribution, and healthcare markets across 29 states.
2022
GDI advanced its technical and energy capabilities. In January, Ainsworth acquired Gestion E.C.I. Inc. and affiliates, including Énergère, creating Ainsworth Energy & Technology Solutions. Énergère is a leader in energy efficiency and smart city technologies, with over 600 completed projects. Ainsworth also strengthened its Ontario presence by acquiring Mechanical Trade Industries Ltd. (M.T.I.) and M.T.I. Facility Management, adding expertise in HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and design-build services.
In September, GDI expanded in the Pacific Northwest with Cascadian Building Maintenance, Ltd., becoming one of the largest facility services providers in the Seattle market.
2023
On June 1, GDI acquired React Technologies Inc., strengthening its technology capabilities and accelerating digital transformation across its service offerings. This acquisition enhanced GDI’s tech-enabled facility management solutions, particularly within the Ainsworth division.
Later that year, on November 1, GDI acquired Atalian USA, reinforcing GDI’s commitment to elevating service excellence across North America. This acquisition significantly expanded GDI’s commercial janitorial presence in New York, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Missouri.
2024
On March 15, GDI acquired Paramount Building Solutions, expanding operations in Minnesota and Arizona, and adding marquee clients to its portfolio.
On April 1, through its subsidiary Ainsworth, GDI acquired the Atlantic Canadian refrigeration services business of Hussmann Canada Inc., strengthening Ainsworth’s specialized refrigeration capabilities and expanding its presence across Atlantic Canada.
Later in the year, on June 5, Ainsworth announced the acquisition of RYCOM, a strategic partnership focused on innovation in the real estate and corporate sectors. RYCOM brings decades of expertise in critical infrastructure, supporting the industry’s transition toward decarbonization, automation, and data-driven building solutions.
2025
GDI and Ainsworth continued to strengthen their North American footprint through strategic acquisitions. On April 1, Ainsworth expanded its reach in Montreal and across Quebec with the acquisition of OME Bâtiments Intelligents, enhancing its capabilities in intelligent building solutions.
On December 4, GDI significantly grew its janitorial services platform in the U.S. Northeast by acquiring Performance Environmental Services (PES) in Connecticut, Northeast Services (NES) operating throughout Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire, and Go To Services LLC (GTS) serving Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. These acquisitions reinforce GDI’s position as a leading facility services provider across key U.S. markets.
2026
GDI celebrates 100 years of excellence in facility services. To mark the milestone, the company transitioned to “GDI Ainsworth,” to unite two industry leaders under one name and one vision. This evolution reflects their integrated approach to facility services and technical solutions, positioning them for the next century of success.