Ice cream maker Agropur is investing $34 million into its dairy processing plant in Truro, Nova Scotia, to make new lines of frozen treats. The company says it plans to hire another 25 workers in the coming months to increase production, reports CTV News. Agropur also says the investment will also result in economic spinoffs in the region.
"With our new manufacturing line and increasing our volume capacity, it's an incredibly exciting time for this expansion and the $34-million investment,” said Robert Bowman, a plant manager at Truro's Agropur location. Construction is expected to be finished next year.
"This investment certainly contributes to the economic development of our town and sends a strong signal that Truro is a great place to invest,” said Truro Mayor Bill Mills in a news release.
According to Jeannie van Dyk, the vice-president of Agropur's board and director for the Atlantic region, this is the largest plant capital investment made in Canada in the last five years, reports CTV News. "This confirms the importance of the Atlantic region for Agropur and our commitment to remain a major player in the region and to pursue the opportunities it presents,” she said.
Agropur was founded in 1938 and has grown to be a major player in the North American dairy industry, with $7.3 billion in sales last year, reports CTV News. Agropur is a cooperative, with 2,908 members and 7,500 employees.