Makita Global

It all started with the motor over 100 years ago. Makita Corporation was founded in 1915 as an electric motor sales and repair company. Today, as a global brand in over 50 countries, Makita is an innovation leader, manufacturing best-in-class products at 10 plants operating in 8 countries. The unmatched quality and durability of Makita products is driven by the company’s strong R&D capabilities, and have earned the trust of professional users worldwide. Every day, on jobsites around the world, Makita delivers the power, performance and durability that professional users demand with products that are more compact, have less vibration and feel better.

Makita Canada

Customer first - a simple concept and we get it. We have been in Canada since 1973 employing hundreds of people during our 40+ year history. We operate 2 warehouse / distribution centres, and 12 Factory Service Centres, strategically located from Nova Scotia to British Columbia. Makita also partners with a network of over 230 Authorized Service Centres providing professional repairs to your tools on our behalf.

To support our customers, Makita operates a powerful English / French web site (makita.ca) to keep you updated with all the latest information on our extensive lineup of tools and accessories. Looking back on our history, we are proud of our achievements and excited for the future and what it holds for our company. We are committed to offering you a solid company with products designed especially for you, our customer.

Global Cordless Innovation

Unmatched Experience In Engineering And Technology

Makita is a global innovation leader with best-in-class products found in 50 countries. Makita operates 10 manufacturing facilities in 8 nations, including a facility in the Canada. With over 100 years of experience in motor engineering and over 40 years in cordless technology, Makita continues to innovate and perfect products that work as hard as you do. The result is expertly engineered products with the power and performance needed for the application at hand. This drive has also led to the development of cordless products that perform to the same exacting standards as their corded counterparts.

1915 Electric Motor DNA

On March 21, 1915, Mosaburo Makita founded Makita Denki Seisakusho. Located in the Aichi prefecture on the Pacific coast in central Honshu Island, it began as electric motor sales and repair company, dedicated to selling and repairing lighting equipment, motors and transformers.

1938 Makita Electric Works

After years of development and testing in Japan, Makita specialized in engineering electric motors and started exporting them globally in 1935. In 1938, the company was transformed into a limited company and Makita introduced the new name "Makita Electric Works, Ltd."

1958 The First Makita Power Tool

In 1958, Makita's first power tool was announced - the Model 1000 hand-operated electric hand planer 120mm. This was followed by the introduction of a portable hand-held wall chaser. This significant turning point highlighted Makita’s dedication to precision engineering and power tools.

1962 The Makita Circular Saw And Drill

As Makita continued to evolve and focus on best-in-class electric power tool development, new products emerged. Driven and dedicated to craftsmanship, clean design and user-functionality, the Makita electric circular saw and the Makita electric drill were introduced.

1973 Makita Canada Is Born

Makita launched in Canada, with headquarters in Whitby, Ontario. With the operation of two warehouse and distribution centres, and 12 factory service centres, nationwide from Nova Scotia to British Columbia. Maintaining a focus on the delivery of best-in-class products and service, a new era of Makita in Canada had begun.

1978 Makita’s First Cordless Power Tool

After 10 years of dedicated engineering design and testing to ensure unparalleled quality, Makita introduced its first 7.2V Cordless Drill in 1978. Significant investments in research and development resulted in increased power and run time, shortened charging time and longer tool life.

2005 The Launch Of LXT

As a focus on the evolution of power tool advancement and engineering development continued, in 2005 Makita launched a fully-fledged 18V LXT line of lithium-ion powered cordless tools. Among the first in the industry to recognize the Lithium-Ion advantages, performance increased and tool weight reduced.

2015 One Hundred Years Of Makita Innovation

Makita celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2015 and set its eyes on the next 100 years under the strategic direction of “shifting from engine-powered to battery-powered”. By leveraging its proprietary motor and recharging technologies cultivated through power tools, Makita would promote the shift in the mainstream OPE products from engine-powered to battery-powered.

2020 The Introduction Of Makita XGT 40V MAX

Innovation is at the heart of Makita and this continued with the introduction of the XGT range in June 2020. Offering a combination of ground breaking tool design and higher output batteries, the XGT range was developed with the goal providing a genuine solution for the highest demands in construction, industry, horticulture and many other areas.

2023 Fifty Years in Canada

2023 becomes a milestone, marking 50 years in Canada for Makita. In November of 1973 Makita Power Tools Canada Ltd. began operations (renamed Makita Canada Inc. in 1991) with their national headquarters in Whitby, Ontario. With two warehouse and distribution centres, and nationwide factory service centres, Makita celebrates half a century of serving Canadians with best-in-class products and service.