An announcemen
t made early Thursday morning confirmed that the Heinz factory in Leamington, Ont., would remain open, after the company had marked it for closure this June.
Ontario-based Highbury Canco Corporation announced Thursday morning that it has reached an agreement with Heinz to operate the factory.
Highbury Canco Corporation (HCC) is a group of investors that intends to transition the factory into a manufacturing, co-packaging and distribution facility in July. The move will employ 250 people, plus additional seasonal workers, and could expand in the future.
“We believe that our investment in Leamington will become the cornerstone to providing Ontario’s agricultural products around the world, not just in Canada,” spokesman Pradeep Sood said in a news release, suggesting the group intended to sell its products in Canada and international emerging markets.
Word spread on Wednesday that "good news" was expected for the community, which relied on the 105-year-old plant as one of its primary industries.
The some 500 jobs will still be lost when Heinz ends operation in June, the new deal should bring some sunshine to the community.
Not only will it maintain a century-old industry, it will keep alive the town's identity as a tomato capital. Not only that, this year's tomato crop will not go to waste.
t made early Thursday morning confirmed that the Heinz factory in Leamington, Ont., would remain open, after the company had marked it for closure this June.Ontario-based Highbury Canco Corporation announced Thursday morning that it has reached an agreement with Heinz to operate the factory.
Highbury Canco Corporation (HCC) is a group of investors that intends to transition the factory into a manufacturing, co-packaging and distribution facility in July. The move will employ 250 people, plus additional seasonal workers, and could expand in the future.
“We believe that our investment in Leamington will become the cornerstone to providing Ontario’s agricultural products around the world, not just in Canada,” spokesman Pradeep Sood said in a news release, suggesting the group intended to sell its products in Canada and international emerging markets.
Word spread on Wednesday that "good news" was expected for the community, which relied on the 105-year-old plant as one of its primary industries.
The some 500 jobs will still be lost when Heinz ends operation in June, the new deal should bring some sunshine to the community.
Not only will it maintain a century-old industry, it will keep alive the town's identity as a tomato capital. Not only that, this year's tomato crop will not go to waste.
