Olymel's expansion in Ontario: Investment of $30 million in poultry sector activities in Brampton and creation of 100 new jobs

BRAMPTON, ON, Nov. 15, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Olymel management is announcing that it has just completed an investment of more than $30 million to redevelop its Orenda poultry further processing plant in Brampton, Ontario, and to acquire a new plant (Westwyn), also located in Brampton. This investment increases the company's production capacity, particularly in the breaded poultry products segment, in order to capitalize on business opportunities that the market offers both in the HRI (Hotel, Restaurant and Institution) network and in the retail distribution sector. The acquisition of a new building represents an addition of more than 50,000 square feet to the existing surface area of these two Olymel plants, and makes additional space available to be used for future developments.

Thanks to this investment, the Brampton Orenda plant, which had reached its full production capacity, is now equipped with a fourth breading line and high-performance equipment that are resulting in higher productivity and efficiency gains. Notably, the plant is now able to produce gluten-free products at all times, both for its house brands, such as Flamingo, and for private brands.

The recently acquired and refurbished Westwyn plant is specialized in deboning, which was previously done at the Olymel Orenda plant. The reorganized and extended activities of these two Olymel Ontario plants that specialize in poultry processing will create more than 100 new jobs.

"This major investment and the operational reorganization in the Ontario poultry sector were necessary for Olymel to continue to develop its markets, particularly in the breaded poultry products segment, whose popularity shows no signs of slowing. Olymel is consolidating its position in the poultry sector in Ontario and in Canada by giving itself considerable means to increase its production capacity, actively participate in the economic development of the agri-food processing sector, and create new jobs," stated Olymel's President and CEO, Mr. Réjean Nadeau.

Cooperation of employees and UFCW Local 175

Olymel is pleased with the cooperation of its employees and the representatives of their trade union, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW Local 175), in this substantial redevelopment of its activities in the Ontario poultry processing sector. This investment and reorganization of activities, now distributed in two plants, as well as new work shifts, requires reopening the collective agreement. All these indispensable changes for the future would not have been successfully achieved without the cooperation of employees and union representatives. 

The Olymel Orenda plant in Brampton, Ontario specializes in processing poultry products and employs nearly 320 people on many work shifts, 7 days a week. The plant manufactures breaded and frozen chicken products (IQF method). The Olymel Westwyn plant, in Brampton, Ontario, specializes in deboning and portioning poultry meat. It employs 315 people over 3 work shifts, 5 days a week. The plant supplies, among others, Olymel's poultry further processing plants.

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 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 mainly under the Olymel, Lafleur and Flamingo brands. For more information about the company, visit: www.olymel.ca.

SOURCE Olymel l.p.

For further information: Richard Vigneault, Corporate Communications, [phone], [phone]