Olymel invests $8M in its St-Jean-sur-Richelieu plant: expansion and addition of new activities creation of 40 new jobs

ST-JEAN-SUR-RICHELIEU, QC, Nov. 22, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - The construction of an $8 million expansion has begun at the Olymel agrifood processing plant in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu. This significant investment funds the construction of new facilities and the acquisition of new equipment for chicken boning and cooking, a new activity that will be added to the facility's existing production operations. This addition will create 40 new jobs.

The facility will be supplied with fresh products by Olymel's poultry primary processing plants in St-Damase, Montérégie, and at Sunnymel, in New Brunswick. Cooking and boning chickens will allow us to produce value-added diced chicken, a product destined for clients in the hotel, restaurant and institution (HRI) network. This meat is popular for its use in pâtés, soups and salads as well as in a host of other culinary preparations. Once completed, the construction work will add nearly 14,000 sq. ft. to the facility on Claude Street, bringing its total surface area to over 37,000 sq. ft. New production operations should begin in April 2018.

 "Olymel continues to develop its facilities in the poultry sector. This $8 million investment in our St-Jean-sur-Richelieu plant will make us more efficient and further diversify our operations. This new activity should ultimately have a positive impact on the poultry sector in Quebec and contribute to St-Jean-sur-Richelieu's economic development by creating new jobs," said Olymel President and CEO Mr. Réjean Nadeau.

The Olymel plant in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu employs more than 130 people (170 once the construction is completed) whose work is spread over three shifts. This agrifood further processing plant manufactures a variety of products ranging from poultry cold cuts to tournedos, chicken skewers, turkey roasts and now, diced chicken.

About Olymel

Olymel L.P. is Canada's leader in the production, processing and distribution of pork and poultry meats. The company has made feeding the world its mission, which it pursues passionately with products of impeccable quality. The company employs over 11,000 persons and has production and processing facilities in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, New Brunswick and Saskatchewan. Olymel exports nearly a third of its total sales. Its annual sales are on the order of $3.2 billion. The company markets its products under the Olymel, Lafleur and Flamingo brands. For more information about the company, visit: www.olymel.ca

SOURCE Olymel l.p.

Richard Vigneault, Corporate Communications, [phone] or [phone]