Global Drain Technologies

About GDT

Who were are

Headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba Global Drain Technologies (GDT) is a leader in the design, manufacture and delivery of commercial and residential drains. We offer purpose-built and industry-specific drainage solutions coupled with value added services like, design engineering, installation consultation and post-purchase customer care, that meet the needs of our unique and valued customers.

As an export driven manufacturer and proud Canadian owned and operated company supplying value added products to commercial and residential customers from coast to coast Global Drain Technologies is guided by these core principles: 

• Service Excellence
• Innovation
• Growth
• Manufacturing Excellence
• Best Place to Work

Our Roots

Global Drain Technologies Ltd. was founded in 2018 but the company’s history as a manufacturer and innovative drainage provider started in 1988. This is when Glen Kehler, an inventor and entrepreneur from Manitoba, Canada patented the original Slot Drain System and founded Slot Drain Systems Ltd. 

Kehler owned a concrete contracting business and regularly had to install area drains. These drains required multiple complex slopes in the concrete to achieve positive drainage. Tired of using outdated drainage designs Kehler created and patented a new type of drain which he named the Slot Drain System. The Slot Drain System is a linear drainage system featuring a slot like opening as its inlet. This system allows for easy installation, has self-cleaning properties and provides a durable drainage solution for both residential and commercial applications.

In 2013 Tyler and Kirby Gompf purchased Slot Drain Systems ltd. and the original Slot Drain patent from Kehler. They also purchased Specialloy, a stainless steel fabricator located in Winnipeg.

After purchasing the Slot Drain Systems brand the Gompf brothers embarked on a campaign to educate consumers about the advantages of this new type of drainage. From 2013-2018 Slot Drain Systems experienced industry leading growth in Canada while expanding into international export markets. The company credits much of their early growth with grassroots marketing efforts based on service and manufacturing excellence. Word spread as customers recommended Slot Drain Systems to their friends and colleagues based on their positive experiences with this new drain as well as the dedication to customer satisfaction lived by the Slot Drain sales and customer service  teams.

Rapid Divisional Growth

In 2018 Slot Drain Systems was absorbed into the newly founded Global Drain Technologies. The Specialloy brand was retired and the company divested of all fabrication equipment and technologies not centered around drainage. This allowed the company to focus on their speciality, the development, manufacture and delivery of stainless steel drainage solutions.

In 2019, FoodSafe Drains was founded as a division of Global Drain Technologies. This brand focuses solely on providing drainage systems to food and beverage manufacturers. Embracing a ‘whole facility approach’ FoodSafe Drains has expanded its product line beyond Slot Drain Systems to include drainage components like area drains, trench drains and stainless steel p-traps.

In 2021, Landscape Drains was founded as a brand focused solely on providing drainage systems to landscape architects, designers, contractors and homeowners requiring drainage for outdoor spaces like pool decks, patios, parks and playgrounds.

In 2022, Global Drain Technologies expanded their manufacturing capacity, opening a manufacturing location in Grand Forks to better serve the American market. At the same time their Winnipeg location continues to serve as their central manufacturing hub and world headquarters providing valuable manufacturing, engineering, sales and marketing jobs to hardworking Canadians. 

Productivity, Innovation and Excellence

Global Drain Technologies won Food Plant of the Year (drain supplier) in 2022 and 2023 for their work with Bell and Evans and Clemens Foods. Then in 2024, Global Drain Technologies launched an e-commerce website to provide standard, ready-to-ship drainage solutions in addition to its custom drainage lineup. 

Global Drain Technologies continues on a growth trajectory. Partnering with Gensler, a leading architectural firm, to launch their new elevator drains lineup into the North American market. At the same time, their suite of drain cleaning tools including the patented Slot Hog, the Slot Dog (patent pending) and the Clean In Place system have continued to expand and evolve to meet the fast paced sanitation requirements of modern food and beverage manufacturing facilities.

Global Drain Technologies continues to innovate and grow today and into the future through industry-specific drainage solutions provided to satisfied customers across North America and around the world.