Del Monte Canada is part of a $1.7-billion deal that will
put it and Del Monte U.S.A. under Del Monte Pacific Ltd. of Singapore.
The Asia-based company is buying all of the food-products
operations owned by Del Monte Foods of San Francisco, including the vegetable
canning plant at Dresden, Ont., and the fresh-cut fruit and vegetable plant
nearing completion at Oshawa.
Del Monte Foods, which is privately owned, plans to
concentrate on pet foods. It’s most popular brands are Pup-Peroni, Meow Mix and
Milk Bones.
The Asian company says the deal helps it realize its
ambitions to increase sales in North America and to diversify from its
mainstay, which is pineapples. It owns the world’s largest pineapple
plantations.
Del Monte Canada bought 12 acres in Oshawa for $6.35 million
in January and in the summer announced its plans to build a 108,000-square-foot
processing and distribution centre for ready-to-eat fresh-cut fruits and
vegetables.
The plant at Dresden cans tomatoes, beans, potatoes and
beets. Its products are marketed under the Aylmer brand name.
