Repair and maintenance services subsector, 2022

Released: 2024-01-30

Businesses in the repair and maintenance services subsector generated $36.9 billion in operating revenues in 2022, an increase of 7.9% from 2021. Operating expenses rose 8.0% to $33.5 billion in 2022. The profit margin declined slightly, from 9.2% in 2021 to 9.1% in 2022.

The repair and maintenance services subsector includes three industry groups. In 2022, the automotive repair and maintenance industry group generated 62.5% of the subsector's operating revenue. Combined, the electronic and precision equipment repair and maintenance group and the commercial and industrial machinery and equipment repair and maintenance group generated the remaining 37.5% of revenue.

The automotive repair and maintenance industry group shows strong growth

Firms in the automotive repair and maintenance industry group earned $23.1 billion in operating revenue in 2022, 7.5% more than in 2021. In 2022, total operating expenses grew by 7.6% to $21.0 billion, while salaries, wages, commissions and benefits rose 5.8% to $6.2 billion. The profit margin saw a slight decline, from 8.9% in 2021 to 8.7% in 2022.

The four provinces with the greatest proportion of the industry group's operating revenue in 2022 were Ontario (35.9%), Quebec (20.9%), Alberta (15.2%) and British Columbia (14.8%). The cost of goods sold (43.7%) was the main operating expense for this industry group, followed by salaries, wages, commissions and benefits (29.7%) and rental and leasing (5.3%).

In 2022, the majority of sales in the automotive repair and maintenance industry group were to individuals and households (61.0%), followed by businesses (35.5%).

Non-automotive repair and maintenance generates $13.8 billion in revenue

The electronic and precision equipment repair and maintenance industry group and the commercial and industrial machinery and equipment (except automotive and electronic) repair and maintenance industry group earned a combined operating revenue of $13.8 billion in 2022, an increase of 8.7% from the previous year.

Operating expenses rose 8.7% to $12.5 billion, and salaries, wages, commissions and benefits increased by 6.1% to $4.0 billion, resulting in a profit margin of 9.8% in 2022, the same as in 2021. As in previous years, Alberta (33.3%) had the largest share of operating revenue for these industry groups in 2022, followed by Ontario (26.8%), Quebec (17.7%) and British Columbia (11.4%).

The majority of sales in these industry groups in 2022 were to businesses (82.7%), followed by individuals and households (7.0%). The cost of goods sold made up 40.0% of the operating expenses of these industry groups, followed by salaries, wages, commissions and benefits (32.4%).

Looking at 2023 

Repair and maintenance services continued to experience increased demand in 2023. Supply chain issues continued to cause elevated costs and delays in obtaining new vehicles. Consequently, consumers turned toward the used car market or opted to repair their current vehicles, significantly boosting the repair and maintenance subsector. The Consumer Price Index continued to increase. Further, increased capital spending on construction and machinery equipment in 2023 is expected to drive up the need for heavy machinery and commercial equipment repair and maintenance.

A complete financial picture for the 2023 reference year will be provided when survey data are published, near the end of 2024.

Contact information

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