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.
