Richardson expands food processing biz
By Canadian Packaging staff
Automation Innovative Foods Margarine Golden Gate – Michca Inc. margarines and shortenings mergers and acquisitions Richardson International LimitedPurchases Ontario business Margarine Golden Gate - Micha Inc., manufacturers of margarines and shortenings.
WINNIPEG—Richardson International Limited has announced it has purchased Margarine Golden Gate – Michca Inc. effective June 15, 2015.
Golden Gate is a family-owned business that produces margarines and shortenings for the industrial, food service, retail and export markets.
“Golden Gate is a terrific addition to our business as it allows us to better serve our customers in Eastern Canada,” says Richardson International president and chief executive officer Curt Vossen. “We are pleased to be adding a well-established, family-owned company with respected brands to our growing food business.”
With the Golden Gate acquisition, Richardson will have two margarine and shortening manufacturing plants in Ontario.
In 2011, Richardson established a presence in Eastern Canada with the purchase of Innovative Foods, a margarine and shortening manufacturing business with plants in Mississauga, Ont. and Sussex, New Brunswick. Located in Oakville, Ont., Golden Gate’s 60,000-square-foot manufacturing plant was built in 2003.
“Combined, these facilities will strengthen our capability as a national supplier and increase our capacity to serve all segments of the market, including retail, food service and industrial,” says Richardson senior vice-president of quality assurance and manufacturing Pat Van Osch. “This is the next step in the evolution of our packaged food products business.”
Richardson first entered the food manufacturing business in 1999 with the purchase of Canbra Foods in Lethbridge, Alberta. Today, Richardson is one of Canada’s largest, fully-integrated canola processing, refining and packaging operations. From canola processing to food product development, Richardson takes canola from the field and transforms it for use in a wide array of food products.
“Food safety and quality assurance are paramount in today’s market,” says Van Osch. “With our integrated Richardson network, we have the unique ability to ensure quality food products right through the value chain, from the farm gate to end-use consumer markets.”
Richardson International is Canada’s largest agribusiness and is recognized as a global leader in agriculture and food processing. Based in Winnipeg, Richardson is a worldwide handler and merchandiser of all major Canadian-grown grains and oilseeds and a vertically-integrated processor and manufacturer of oats and canola-based products. Named as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies, Richardson has over 2,500 employees across Canada and the U.S.
For more information, visit www.richardson.ca.
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