Dr. Oetker Welcomes Investment by Government of Canada in North American Production Facility

Facility to provide opportunities for Ontario farmers and hundreds of jobs for local families

LONDON, ON, May 24, 2012 /CNW/ - At an event held this morning, Dr. Oetker Canada, the maker of many beloved frozen pizza brands, dessert brands and dry baking mixes for both retail and food service, welcomed the announcement of federal funding support for the company's frozen pizza production facility in London, Ontario. The plant, which will act as a production hub for the company's North American pizza operations, will create a minimum of 120 permanent jobs once the facility is operational.  It is supported through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario's (FedDev Ontario) Prosperity Initiative, as well as Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's AgriProcessing Initiative.

"We are pleased to have been able to work closely with officials from FedDev Ontario and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada," said Dr. Christian F. von Twickel, Executive Vice President of Dr. Oetker Canada Ltd. "We are delighted to be able to participate in today's announcement and thank the Federal government for the financial support provided to Dr. Oetker Canada for this project. As a fourth generation family-owned and family-run business, we are excited to be expanding our operations in Canada and creating many new jobs in London."

The London facility will help Dr. Oetker produce up to 50 million frozen pizzas per year for the Canadian and U.S markets and source high-quality ingredients such as cheese, flour, meats and tomato sauce from Ontario farmers and food processors.

The company's famous "Trattoria" was onsite during the announcement treating guests to the company's pizza following remarks by Dr. Christian F. von Twickel, the Hon. Gary Goodyear, and MP Joe Preston, who were joined by MP Ed Holder and MP Susan Truppe.

"Canada is an excellent market for Dr. Oetker.  Canadians have grown to trust our brand: they are loyal to their favourite Dr. Oetker products, and welcome the new ones we introduce," said Dr. von Twickel.

"The London facility will produce our Ristorante and Casa di Mama pizzas, as well as our newest product - Panebello pizza," he added.

Dr. Oetker Canada has been in operation since 1960 and ranks as one of the top five subsidiaries for the organization which operates in over than 35 countries, and has production facilities in 15. The Canadian unit has 120 employees today, produces over 300 products, and has doubled in size over the last five years due to new product development and a culture that thrives on innovation, quality products and fresh thinking. Most recently Dr. Oetker has seen success with its frozen pizza line, in fact nearly one in three frozen pizzas sold in Canada are Dr. Oetker pizzas. The company also operates a manufacturing and R&D facility located in Mississauga, Ontario. The Dr. Oetker pizza plant is slated to take up operations in late 2013/early 2014.

About Dr. Oetker Canada

Since 1960, Dr. Oetker Canada Ltd. has provided innovative quality food products to Canadian consumers.  Recognized as one of the fastest growing food manufacturing companies in Canada, Dr. Oetker  produces and distributes a variety of desserts and dry baking mixes (Shirriff, Added Touch and Dr. Oetker branded) and frozen pizzas (Ristorante, Casa di Mama and Panebello). The Canadian company is a subsidiary of the family-run Oetker Group which is currently led by Mr. Richard Oetker, great-grandson of the original founder. Established in 1891 with the launch of Germany's first baking powder, today Dr. Oetker carries out a legacy rooted in the belief that "quality is the best recipe" and a commitment to building a sustainable presence in the communities in which it does business.  In 2009, sales were $2.5 billion.

Media contact:
Janine Allen, Fleishman-Hillard for Dr. Oetker, 416-357-9294