The Bel Group has announced it will build its first Canadian plant in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, following an investment of CAD 87 million ($66.2 million).
With production scheduled to begin in early 2020, the facility will be fully dedicated to producing Mini Babybel cheese.
Bel Group – which owns brands including Leerdammer and The Laughing Cow – said that the project will create 170 jobs spread between the Sorel-Tracy plant and Bel Canada’s Montreal head office.
It added that the project will achieve the Bel Group’s goal to produce locally, to better meet the needs of the Canadian market.
The new plant will be built on a site adjacent to dairy firm Laiterie Chalifoux, with which industrial synergies are expected.
Bel Canada president Catherine Thomas said: “Bel has been marketing its products in Canada since 1957, and we know the local dairy sector’s expertise. With this new plant, we are becoming a full-fledged Quebec dairy processor.
Bruno Letendre, chair of Les Producteurs de lait du Québec, added: “This cheese is currently imported and will soon be produced with 100% Canadian milk. This is good news for local dairy producers. This investment will generate employment and much-needed economic benefits in our regions.”
Bel Group has 12,700 employees in some 30 subsidiaries around the world. Its products are prepared at 32 production sites and distributed in nearly 130 countries. Last year it had sales of €3.3 billion.
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2024