Maple Leaf Foods Inc. announced plans to shut down its Brantford, Ontario plant and consolidate its Further Processed Poultry (FPP) production into other existing facilities by early 2025.
The century-old Brantford plant, which the company identified earlier this year as needing substantial ongoing investment to remain operational long-term, will be closed in a phased manner. This approach aims to ensure business continuity and meet customer demand throughout the transition.
“The decision to close any plant is one that we take very seriously,” stated Curtis Frank, President and Chief Executive Officer of Maple Leaf Foods. “We are very proud of our team at Brantford and appreciate the great work they do each and every day.”
Maple Leaf Foods intends to support the affected employees by providing assistance and opportunities at other company locations.
“Consolidating production into our current network allows us to reallocate our resources and increase our efficiencies by further optimizing the existing, more modern facilities in our network,” said Frank. “This supports our vision to be the most sustainable protein company on Earth and our commitment to produce world-class products safely and efficiently as we support the growth of our protein business.”
The company plans to collaborate with the Brantford community to explore alternative uses for the soon-to-be-vacant property. This strategic move is expected to enhance operational efficiency, reduce waste, and improve asset utilization across Maple Leaf Foods’ production network.