When you ask Malcolm Caldwell, vice president and general manager of Harco, what makes the company’s success story so enduring, his answer comes easily. “We’re all Maytag guys from way back. The loyalty and just associating yourself with a brand name as powerful as Maytag is a big thing.”

That deep connection, built on decades of mutual respect and shared purpose, has powered Harco’s growth and reputation across Canada. Since becoming a Maytag Commercial Laundry distributor in 1984, they have paired the trusted strength of Maytag equipment with a service culture that is focused on customers, not transactions.

Caldwell’s journey with Maytag started long before his tenure at Harco. He delivered Maytag washers and dryers in high school, an early start that blossomed into a lifelong career in commercial laundry. “When I was delivering machines way back in high school, the team at Harco was signing the agreement to be Maytag distributors in Ontario. They brought on the best brand in the industry, and they’ve been loyal ever since.”

That shared history became a bond when he joined Harco, bringing his own Maytag experience full circle. “It was an easy fit,” he recalls. “We were all Maytag. The brand, the people, the professionalism—it just felt right.”

As it has been since the beginning, Harco’s relationship with the Maytag Commercial Laundry team is built on open communication and shared understanding. “It means I can pick up the phone and talk to the sales or service team or even another Maytag distributor and just say, ‘We’re running into this, how did you handle it?’ They know what we do every day. I don’t have to explain it. We can just have a focused discussion and get it done.”

That kind of access, paired with consistency among Maytag’s leadership team, helps Harco serve its customers faster and more effectively. “It’s efficient. We can get it done,” he adds. “Having people that understand what we do, people who know the business, that’s what makes it work.”

At Harco, success isn’t just measured in sales; it’s measured in service. The team focuses on availability, responsiveness and a hands-on approach that prioritizes customers’ needs above all. “Laundry is important. It’s an essential service,” says Caldwell. “If a customer needs something today, we work hard to make it happen. That’s always been our commitment.” 

The company even provides a no-haggle 90-day labor warranty, ensuring that small issues never get in the way of long-term relationships. “Just take care of the customer and figure out the rest later,” he notes. “It wins every time.” 

For Harco, excellence isn’t a one-time achievement; it’s a tradition. The company has earned the prestigious Fred Maytag Award six times over its four decades; a distinction few can claim. “It’s a huge honor,” Caldwell remarks. “It’s not just about sales; it’s customer service, marketing ideas and promoting the brand. It really embodies a tradition of excellence.”

Presented annually since 1959, the Fred Maytag Award recognizes distributors who best represent the values that built the Maytag name, reliability, integrity, professionalism and unwavering dedication to customers. To be recognized more than once places Harco among an elite group of distributors worldwide who demonstrate sustained performance and long-term loyalty to the brand.