Canada Bread closing Halifax bakery

Canada Bread is shutting its bakery in Halifax later this year.

More than 105 employees will lose their jobs at the 50,000 square foot plant, as the company begins to wind-down operations starting as early as June. Canada Bread expects to close the plant in November.

The Halifax bakery produces sliced breads and English muffins primarily under the Ben’s, Depster’s, Villaggio and private label brands.

Production of these items will be consolidated at the manufacter’s bakeries in Moncton and Woodstock, N.B.

The company said affected employees will receive severance packages and are encouraged to seek employment at other Canada Bread facilities.

In a press statement, Canada Bread's president, Barry McLean, cited "mounting competitive pressure" among food manufacturers to get more efficient as a reason for the closure.

Canada Bread is a former subsidiary of Maple Leaf Foods that was purchased by Mexico-based Grupo Bimbo last May.