Maple Leaf Foods has announced that it will close its Brantford, Ontario, Canada, plant — a 100-year-old facility that the company stated would likely require significant ongoing investment if it were to continue long-term operations.
The company would consolidate most of the further-processed poultry production from the Brantford plant into its other existing plants through early 2025, according to a release from the company. According to information on the Maple Leaf Foods web site, the Brantford plant employs 156 workers.
It is a 115,000-sq.-ft. facility that processes fresh chicken into chicken wings, strips, nuggets and other products, and individually quick-freezes fresh chicken for foodservice customers. Furthermore, the plant produces various other chicken, turkey, and beef products for foodservice and retail.
The plant will be shut down in phases, and Maple Leaf stated it planned to provide support to employees affected by the closure, including offering them opportunities at other Maple Leaf facilities. According to local news reports, the company’s nearby plants in London, Guelph and Hamilton could receive some of the placements.
“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 Curtis Frank, president and CEO of Maple Leaf Foods.
The company also stated it would work with the community of Brantford to seek alternate uses for the property.
