Source: Gay Lea Foods
Mississauga, Ontario – (November 16, 2016) Gay Lea Foods Co-operative Limited (“Gay Lea Foods”) today announced a significant investment of $140 million over four years to establish an innovative, nutrition and nutraceutical-grade dairy ingredients hub in Canada.
This unprecedented investment in dairy processing in Canada delivers on the Co-operative’s mission to transform more Canadian milk by building an innovative and market-driven ingredients business that caters to our customers’ needs.
As a 100% Canadian owned and operated co-operative, Gay Lea Foods is committed to strong, sustainable rural communities where our members and employees live and prosper with their families. Phase one will commence in early 2017, with a $60 million expansion plan in the village of Teeswater in Bruce County, Ontario.
Phase one also includes a $3 million investment to build a Research & Development Centre of Excellence in Hamilton, Ontario. This working laboratory and innovation incubator will be the nexus between R&D and commercialization throughout Gay Lea Foods’ operations, and also service our partners in the dairy, food and health sectors.
The first phase also includes upgrades and expansion at our Toronto area food manufacturing facilities to increase our capabilities and competitiveness, improving cost efficiencies, while working to reduce our environmental footprint.
QUICK FACTS
Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Gay Lea Foods is a leader in the Canadian dairy industry and the co-operative sector, with more than 950 employees working in production facilities across Ontario.
Gay Lea Foods has been growing steadily, and has made a number of acquisitions in recent years, including Stirling Creamery (2016), Black River Cheese (2016), Hewitt’s Dairy (2014), Salerno (2014) and Ivanhoe Cheese (2008).
In October 2016, Gay Lea Foods announced a joint venture with Vitalus Nutrition Inc. to build a new dairy ingredient and butter processing facility in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Gay Lea Foods also recently acquired a minority interest in Mariposa Dairy Ltd, which produces high quality goat and sheep cheeses using 100% Ontario fresh goat and sheep milk for Canadian and U.S. markets.
Teeswater has played a pivotal role in the continuous evolution of the dairy sector in Canada, starting as the home of Canada’s oldest creamery. Teeswater Creamery joined the Gay Lea Foods family in 1981.