Hilton Foods Canada breaks ground on new manufacturing facility in Ontario

Brantford, Ont. will soon be home to U.K.-based Hilton Foods’ first Canadian manufacturing facility. 

A groundbreaking ceremony in the southern Ontario city kicked off construction of the $192 million “highly automated” food processing and distribution centre that will, once completed, span 230,000 square feet.

“It’s been designed to deliver exceptional quality and value across a range of categories including meat, pork, added value and seafood and will do this in a manner that maximizes the shelf life and ensures fresh products for Canadian consumers,” said Matt Lee, CEO of Hilton Foods U.K., Ireland and Canada.

The company, which operates in 19 markets around the globe with partners including Tesco, Ahold, Delhaize and Waitrose, has struck a long-term supply partnership with Walmart Canada.

“While today is a major achievement for Hilton Foods, I’m equally enthusiastic about the positive impact it will have on Walmart Canada and our customers,” said Walmart Canada president and CEO Venessa Yates. “Our merchants have been diligently working to expand our product assortment and enhance the customer experience, ensure that our customers have more choices when they shop with us. This facility will play an important role in offering high quality protein at affordable prices for everyone every day.”

Yates added that the collaboration with Hilton Foods underscores the retailer’s commitment to support Canadian farms and ranches.