There are currently 20 businesses involved in food products manufacturing. In total, food manufacturing companies account for approximately 2,300 jobs in the region and over the past decade the following companies have invested in the community.

Brantford·Brant Food Sector Investments

• The Ferrero Group - $400 million investment for North American Production Facility (2005). New $50-million, 480,000 sq.ft. Canadian warehouse/distribution center (2012). Employ approximately 800 people.
• Maidstone Bakeries - $200 million joint venture with Tim Horton’s and Cuisine de France – 400,000 sq.ft. new par-bake manufacturing facility employing 350
• Western Waffles - $25 million – 132,700 sq.ft new manufacturing facility producing waffles, employing 411
• Dure Foods - 55,000 sq.ft. new facility manufacturing and packaging powdered and flavour coffees, employing 36
• Pinty's Delicious Foods – 40,000 sq.ft. facility producing fully cooked ready-to-eat chicken, employing 60 
• Pillers Fine Foods Inc . – 61,000 sq.ft. facility producing meat products, employing 40
• Maple Leaf Consumer Foods-manufacturer and distributor of further processed poultry, red meats and fish for food service industry, employing 225 people.

Download our 2012 Food Quickfacts sheet in PDF format.

Ontario Market – Key Facts

Ontario produces more than 200 agricultural commodities, a diversity unmatched in most parts of the world. The province is a world leader in food technology research and development, and the agri-food sector has a proven track record in successful export marketing with exports worth $8.5 billion annually and accounts for 28% of Canada's total annual agri-food exports. The value of food shipments for 2005 was $32.5 billion.

Producers:

• 59,728 farms
• 130,000 job equivalents
• $9.1 billion annual revenues

Food & Beverage:

• 3,500 firms
• 120,000 jobs
• $32.5 billion annual revenues

Foodservice:

• 36,436 firms
• 298,200 jobs
• $19.5 billion annual revenues

Food Stores:

• 13,731 firms
• 178,000 jobs
• $24.1 billion annual revenues

Source: Ontario Investment Service (www.investinontario.com), Sept.2008.

Download a brochure on Ontario's Food Industry in .pdf format

Brantford·Brant's Advantages

• Transportation options that include superior access to 400 series highways, two international airports, international border crossing at Niagara Falls and inter-modal facilities in western GTA
• Proximity to Ontario and Northern US customer market and suppliers
• Strong labour force growth trends
• Productive, skilled labour force
• Competitive wage levels
• Access to suppliers and competitively priced high quality raw materials
• Low land and construction costs when compared to other Southern Ontario locations
• Low cost electricity and telecommunication costs
• Cost competitive business conditions
• Proximity to major consumer markets considered a major factor in attracting warehouse and distribution facilities
• Many firms have already located in Brantford·Brant including: The Ferrero Group, Maidstone Bakeries, Western Waffles, Pillers Fine Foods Inc., Maple Leaf Poultry, Neo-Nutritionals Inc, and Pinty's Delicious Foods.