TruHarvest, the venture that took over Toronto beef-packing plant Ryding-Regency, is out of business.
Vice-president Chuck Oulton said in a recent interview with Farms.com that it ran ouf of money to achieve its goal of slaughtering 1,500 head a week.
When it closed it was doing about 700 a week with 140 employees working three days a week.
The plant was put back into business by the Burgin family of Forest, a revival that was much needed in a province short of beef-slaughter capacity.
Oulton said TruHarvest was a supplier to niche markets, such as halal and kosher, and those buyers are left with little or no Canadian supply.
“With a new business, there’s only so much chance you have with the banks to get financing for expansions,” Oulton said. “The Burgin family put a lot out there to try and make this a success. I really do think they gave it their all.”
