Feds to help Maple Leaf modernize plants
By Canadian Packaging Staff
Automation Grant Hog production Maple Leaf Foods Slaughter Improvement ProgramNot wanting Maple Leaf to hog all the fun, the Canadian federal government is investing in a pair of pork processing plants in Manitoba.
The Canadian federal government has announced it is investing a little over $4.5 million to help Maple Leaf Foods through the $60-million Slaughter Improvement Program in an effort to help the processor upgrade its pork processing plants in Winnipeg and Brandon, Manitoba.
The investment will aid the installation of a new line processing, heat recovery and packaging equipment and new value-added production lines, according to Maple Leaf Foods chief strategy officer Doug Dodds noting how the upgrades will help improve cost structure, improve food safety and help the company compete within the Canadian pork industry.
Canadian Minister of public safety and regional Minister for Manitoba Vic Toews says: “Today’s investment underlines our commitment to the pork industry and our focus on creating jobs and growth in Manitoba.
“Upgrades to its Manitoba facilities will help Maple Leaf boost productivity and production capacity to fill new market opportunities, which in turn will increase the demand for producers’ high-quality swine.”
With the Manitoba’s pork industry pumping over $750 million a year into the provincial economy, Dodds adds, “Our Brandon and Winnipeg plants are vital to a healthy hog and production sector in the province.”
Under Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the $60 million Slaughter Improvement Program made federal repayable contributions available to support sound business plans aimed at reducing costs, increasing revenues and improving the operations of meat packing and processing operations in Canada.
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