Olymel has announced that it is investing more than CAD 31.5 million ($23.6 million approx.) to expand its poultry slaughtering and cutting plant in Montérégie, Quebec.
The meat processor is undertaking the expansion project, which it says will add 35,200 square feet to the plant, in order to diversify operations and add new activities.
According to Olymel, the funds will be used to add an automated cutting line, three automatic deboning lines and four tray packing lines to the plant’s processing capacity.
The work associated with the new investment will also include the development of ‘various production-related areas’, as well as a new shipping area and new refrigerated warehouse. In addition, the project includes work to expand the cafeteria and employee service areas.
“By acquiring the space and equipment needed to pre-package products directly at the plant, Olymel will be able to better serve clients who require large volumes of pre-packaged poultry products for their needs,” said Réjean Nadeau, president and CEO of Olymel.
“Olymel will thus bring operations that used to take place externally in-house, enabling it to reduce product handling and transportation time, and have better control over quality, order management and logistics.”
The expansion project is expected to result in the creation of more than 80 new jobs, bringing the total number of employees at the plant to nearly 500, spread over two shifts.
Nadeau continued: “In addition to contributing to the economic development of the Montérégie region, this investment is an integral part of Olymel’s determination to consolidate its position in the poultry market, and after the recent difficult months marked by the pandemic, it is also a sign of confidence in the future.”
Work on the project began yesterday and is expected to take around a year. This will be carried out without disruption to the facility’s current operations, according to Olymel.
The new funds bring Olymel’s investment in its St-Damase processing plant to nearly CAD 60 million ($44.9 million approx.) in recent years. Investment has focused on the modernisation and expansion of the facility, which produces more than 70 million kilos of poultry products annually.
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