Our History
C&T Rentals & Sales Ltd. (C&T Rentals) was founded in 1987 and has since become Manitoba’s premier family-owned and operated full-line construction and event rental company with four convenient Winnipeg locations and employs over seventy-five staff to properly serve and support the city and province.
Our Story
1987: The Journey Begins
In 1987, founder Ed Dwyer a visionary who saw an opportunity to provide specialized rental services to the construction industry in Winnipeg. He embarked on a bold venture took a significant risk and started a company called Tempheat. Specializing in renting portable construction heaters to construction companies. Known around Winnipeg as “that Heater Guy,” Ed focused on a single product offering, driven by his passion and determination. The early years were challenging, but Ed’s commitment to customer satisfaction and his unwavering work ethic began to set Tempheat apart in the market and laid the foundation for what would become C&T Rentals & Sales Ltd.
1992: Expansion and Innovation
Recognizing the need to diversify and the seasonal nature of the construction industry, Ed started Compact Equipment Rental in 1992, specializing in renting earth compaction equipment. This strategic move grew the customer base and allowed the company to provide essential services year-round, covering both winter and summer rentals. As the demand for rental equipment grew, Ed continuously expanded the inventory to include a diverse range of rental equipment, if Ed saw a need he tried to fill it.
1996: Unifying the Brands
By 1996 it became clear that unifying these two specialized companies was the next logical step., the separate identities of Tempheat and Compact Equipment Rental were no longer practical. Ed decided to unify the companies under a single brand, C&T Rentals, with “C” representing Compact and “T” representing Tempheat. The new name also resonated on a personal level; “C&T” sounded like “cat,” and a cat head logo was adopted. Ed’s young daughters, Kelly, and Shawna, believed the company was named after their beloved cats, Crissy and Tiger, making him a very cool dad.
2000s: Growth and Development
Entering the new millennium, C&T Rentals continued to grow and evolve. The company expanded its product offerings to include a broader range of rental equipment including aerial lift equipment. Investments in technology and infrastructure ensured that C&T could provide top-quality and well-maintained equipment to customers across various industries. The company also prioritized safety, earning COR™ Safety Certification in April 2014, a testament to its commitment to maintaining the highest standards.
2010s: Expansion
In 2012 we invested in a new state-of-the-art C&T facility at 116 Wheatfield Road (Center Port) to better serve our customers it also houses our head office. In February 2014, our Centre Port location received the President’s Image Award from the American Rental Association (ARA) in Orlando, Florida, recognizing our commitment to excellence and customer service.
In 2017 we invested in a new state-of-the-art facility C&T facility on 52 South Landing Drive to better serve our customers.
2020s: Expansion
In 2021 we invested in a new state-of-the-art Collective Event Rental facility on 12 South Landing Drive to better serve our customers.
In 2025 we will be opening a new state-of-the-art facility C&T facility on 2465 Dugald Road to better serve our customers.
Awards and Recognition
Our dedication to excellence and community involvement was further acknowledged in March 2015 when we were honored with the Canadian Association of Family Enterprises (CAFÉ) Manitoba Family Enterprise of the Year Award. This award celebrated our contributions to the local community and our successful family-operated business model.