‘Al is the next step:’ CanLift on technology innovation

CanLift Equipment Ltd. has introduced artificial intelligence (AI) across customer-facing and internal operations, changing how customers access support and staff work day-to-day. 

The independently-owned company is one of the first in Canada’s mobile elevated work platform (MEWP) rental industry to integrate AI in this capacity, states CanLift in a press release. 

Ryan Fitzgibbon, co-founder, director of technology and marketing at CanLift, explains that innovation is key to staying ahead in the infrastructure and construction industries. Fitzgibbon says that CanLift committed in January 2025 to become an AI-forward company. 

“We’ve embraced AI not as a gimmick, but because it’s a practical tool for making our equipment safer, our operations more efficient, and employees more empowered.” 

CanLift team. (Image courtesy of CanLift)

Fitzgibbon says it’s important for CanLift to integrate AI across the company and be a leader in AI adoption. The first step in this process was the ‘AI Club,’ where CanLift’s 50 employees from all departments met regularly to share ideas, solve problems and experiment with tools. 

“We’ve taken a practical approach,” explains Fitzgibbon. “We also gave every employee access to Chat GPT Plus, and even created their own custom AI to help staff create their own personal coaches.”

Operationally, AI helps CanLift analyze its fleet, “which is a big one for things like predictive maintenance, guiding equipment disposal and purchasing decisions.” 

AI is used in basically every department of the company, says Fitzgibbon. In the financing department, it is used for forecasting cash flow; HR uses it for streamlining onboarding; and the rental desk uses it for customer assistance and service. 

CanLift has integrated ‘Clive’ (CanLift Intelligent Virtual Expert), its AI chatbot, which provides 24/7 online support and has reduced web inquiry response times to instant replies. Fitzgibbon shares that Clive has led to faster quote turnaround and less downtime for rental customers. 

“AI has brought some fun, too. We design swag, Memes and lighthearted things that build culture,” he says. “Most importantly, AI isn’t about replacing people. We’re growing, we’re hiring, and AI is empowering our employees.”

The customer and employee feedback has been very positive since integrating AI tools, says Fitzgibbon. 

“We’re not open 24/7 or after hours, but Clive helps provide instant answers for customers if they need assistance,” he says. “On the employee side, the response and excitement have been even stronger. AI is removing all their daily repetitive tasks. It helps them organize data, feel more supported, sort of less bogged down.”

Fitzgibbon encourages other equipment rental stores to explore AI technology, as it has been a game-changer for the company’s innovation. Although the rental and construction industries are typically slow adopters of emerging technology, Fitzgibbon explains that companies will benefit from AI – and AI tech anxiety can easily become AI excitement. 

“AI is really the next logical step; it is a paradigm shift for business,” says Fitzgibbon. “You don’t have to be tech-savvy. AI isn’t limited to high-tech companies. It can be meaningful for any business.”