Backgrounder: Five food processing and packaging companies receive $12.7 million to grow and create jobs across southern Ontario

Today, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), announced a total investment of $12.7 million for five innovative food processing and packaging businesses to seize new opportunities for growth and create over 180 jobs.

November 18, 2022

Today, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), announced a total investment of $12.7 million for five innovative food processing and packaging businesses to seize new opportunities for growth and create over 180 jobs.

This investment includes support for the following projects:

• Ferrero Canada Ltd. is a leading manufacturer of chocolate and confectionery. With a $5-million investment, through the Jobs and Growth Fund, Ferrero Canada will increase capacity and further automate two main production lines to meet rise in consumer demand. As a result, Ferrero will be able to move to 24/7 automation and adopt industry 4.0 technologies to enhance its made-in Canada production by 30 percent. This project will also create more than 100 skilled jobs in Brantford.

  “This investment is a tremendous show of confidence and enables us to meet growing consumer demand with made in Canada products, while supporting the country’s economic growth. We are proud to be a part of Canada’s dynamic and critical food and beverage manufacturing sector, and grateful for the support of the Canadian government in this vital industry.”
  -   Fabrizio Secco, Senior Vice President, Industrial Division, Ferrero Canada Ltd.

• Tempo Flexible Packaging Inc. is an award-winning, woman-owned manufacturer of flexible packaging products for the food industry and a signatory partner to the Canada Plastics Pact. With a $3.5-million investment, through the Business Scale-up and Productivity stream, Tempo will expand its facility by 10,000 sq. ft. to adopt new advanced manufacturing technology and increase production of its recyclable food packaging in response to increased demand for more sustainable packaging products. As a result, this project will contribute to a cleaner environment and create 30 skilled jobs in Innisfil.

  “We are here to inspire change for the future. This investment will assist us to pivot our manufacturing towards a circular economy for the flexible plastics. Our vision, to be a leader with sustainable packaging solutions, will allow us to be a valued partner in our industry and in the community.”
  - Lee-Anne Giglio, Chief Operations Officer, Tempo Flexible Packaging Inc.

• Sheen Legend Packaging Corp. (operating as Beneco Packaging and SoOPAK), is a leading, woman-led packaging company for the food and beverage industry. With a $2.5-million investment, through the Jobs and Growth Fund, Sheen Legend will expand production of environmentally-friendly and bio-degradable plant-based manufacturing materials at its new Cobourg-facility. As a result, the company will leverage greener manufacturing equipment to increase production of sustainable packaging by 50 percent, while also creating 37 skilled jobs in Cobourg.

  "FedDev Ontario's investment helps us accelerate our growth needs and introduce more environmentally-friendly packaging options for our customers. While we create more jobs in local Ontario communities, the contribution will also help us become more efficient and greener. The ability to be sustainable will continue to be a significant success factor for our future, and we are so glad and thankful that FedDev Ontario can help us to achieve that faster."
  -  Yajun (Carol) Jiang, CEO and President, Sheen Legend Packaging Corp.

• Summer Fresh Salads Inc. is a leading, woman-owned and led, manufacturer of salads, hummus and dips for major retailers and food service companies across North America. With a $1-million investment, through the Jobs and Growth Fund, the company will adopt new technologies and expand its Woodbridge-facility by 80,000 sq. ft. in order to establish new production lines to increase hummus making capacity as well as add new plant-based products. As a result, it will create 10 skilled jobs in Woodbridge.

  “We are thankful to FedDev Ontario’s Jobs and Growth Fund for its trust and help in our expansion of our company facility. This investment will solidify our presence in Woodbridge, allow us to increase jobs and further help us compete in the North American market.”
  -  Susan Niczowski, President, Summer Fresh Salads Inc.

• Casa Bonita Foods Inc. is a food manufacturer that produces Mexican-style soft corn tortillas and chips for retailers across Canada and the US. With  this $720,000- investment, through the Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF), Casa Bonita Foods will acquire new equipment to further automate and commercialize its production and packaging lines, supporting additional product development, including protein added super-foods. As a result, this project will expand sales across Canada and into new global markets, as well as accelerate revenue growth and create seven skilled jobs in the GTA.

  "Thanks to the funding from FedDev Ontario, we managed to scale up production tremendously, there is no limits to what we can achieve with a bit of help and endless dedication."
  -  Sergio Llerena, Director, Casa Bonita Foods Inc.

The Government of Canada is committed to providing these five businesses within the southern Ontario food processing and packaging industry with the support they need to enhance production capabilities, strengthen women-owned and led businesses, increase revenues and create over 180 skilled jobs.

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