Highbury Canco receives $3.6M expansion funds

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Highbury Canco receives $3.6M expansion funds

By Bryan Jessop

LEAMINGTON – Leamington’s biggest employer is now slightly larger, thanks in part to support from the federal level.

Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages Melanie Joly paid a visit to Highbury Canco Thursday, Feb. 13, where she officially declared $3.6 million in funding to the local food processing facility through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario — known as FedDev Ontario. Joly and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages Kate Young were offered a tour of 2.1 square million foot factory prior to greeting about 100 employees to make the funding announcement.

The expansion, which began roughly one year ago and is now being completed, has paved the way for 170 new full time jobs at Highbury Canco for a population of 650 full time workers — nearing the total employed by Heinz as of its June, 2014 shutdown in Leamington — along with 200 seasonal staff.

“It’s companies like Highbury Canco that helped to diversify the economy and create jobs and bring new ideas to the forefront each and every day,” said Young before introducing Joly.

Today's a celebration of the last five years, but it's also the start of the next five years.

The Minister explained that funds allocated to Highbury Canco’s recent expansion was one of three investments totalling about $7 million via FedDev Ontario. The day prior to her visit to Leamington, Joly appeared in Windsor — where 42 new jobs are being generated — and made a trek to Sarnia. “I’m very much aware, as Economy Development Minister, that there is anxiety and angst out there,” Joly explained to the gathering of Highbury workers. “My word to you is that we’ve got your back, we’re with you and we’re making the right investments to make sure that you have access to the right jobs… we believe in the potential of Leamington.” Today’s a celebration of the last five years, but it’s also the start of the next five years." - Sam Diab

Joly also explained that working on a new NAFTA deal will also bode well for Highbury Canco, noting that Mexico and the United States have ratified the agreement.

“We know that many of your products here are exported to the U.S. and we need to keep that access to the American market open,” she continued.

In total, $16.8 million has been invested into Highbury’s latest expansion that includes new high speed bottling lines that support the production of pasta and salsa brands. The facility now produces 11 new products in total, supported through two new lines. Highbury Canco president and co-owner Sam Diab later explained that the company is hoping to expand further by including beverage production of items including juices, sports drinks and energy drinks. The changes at the Leamington facility have also increased energy efficiency by 50 per cent while reducing waste. The investment’s impact, Joly also noted, will allow for increased local supply chain spending that will translate to 155 tonnes of tomatoes purchased from local growers by 2022 — compared to the current 135 tonnes.

“This is quite an announcement, with the support we’ve received from all levels of government,” Diab stated. “From the federal government — stepping in and believing in our story to grow this facility, to add jobs and stabilize this site — it’s been quite an experience. Today’s a celebration of the last five years, but it’s also the start of the next five years. We’ve been able to provide solutions to customers that have solidified our future in this facility. The Minister and her team were extremely engaged, very interested in our story thus far and even more interested in our story ahead of us and what’s coming forward in the future.” Earlier that day, Minister Joly paid a visit to Mayor Hilda MacDonald at the municipal office on Erie Street North, where the two discussed topics including the new North Trunk Sewer, greenhouse and other agricultural industry issues and tourism investments.

Before departing for Sarnia, Joly and her team paid a visit to Christine’s Bake Shop, owned by recent Reinvent This Space winner Christine Dundas.

“This municipality stands nose to nose with its people, so this was a smart political move on their part,” MacDonald said of the Minister and her group’s visit to Leamington.