French’s
is going to bottle its ketchup in Toronto, making it an all-Canadian
product.
It
has bee bottled in the United States, but the tomatoes are grown in
Ontario and processed by Highbury Canco at Leamington.
Heinz
closed its ketchup plant at Leamington, but then helped a team led by
former employees to establish Highbury Canco there.
French's
will launch two new products in Leamington in early 2017, both to be
made at Highbury Canco
“We
are delighted to implement the next phase of The French's Promise in
Canada," French's Food Division president Elliott Penner said in
a statement.
"Increasing
manufacturing and production in Canada is an important part of our
business model.
Highbury
Canco has been steadily increasing production since it took over two
years ago.
At a
hearing of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural
Affairs Tribunal earlier this year, the chief executive testified
that he expects production will continue to increase.
He
won the appeal that was filed by the marketing board that felt
Highbury’s joint venture with a grower would undermine prices.
The
grower said he welcomed the opportunity to partner because it enabled
him to resume production and opened an opportunity to expand.
Highbury said it gains first-hand information about production and is
able to offer lower costs for inputs because of its buying power and
expertise in dealing with U.S. suppliers.
