CANADA – Smucker Foods of Canada Corp, a subsidiary of the American food company JM Smucker has announced that it will invest US$9.1 million (CAD 12 million) to upgrade its Sherbrooke, Quebec based manufacturing facility.

The investment, partly funded by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Agri-Food, will be used to increase output in condensed milk as well as other products.

According to the company, the upgrading involves manufacturing equipment to increase its flexibility and the variety of products produced.

Part of the proceeds will go into broadening of its domestic milk sourcing.

“This investment will go a long way toward solidifying our long-term presence in Sherbrooke,” said Aurelio Calabretta, Vice President & General Manager for Smucker Foods of Canada.

“Through this initiative, we will be able to introduce new packaging capabilities previously unavailable to us in Canada.”

The Sherbrooke facility produces Carnation evaporated milk and Eagle brand sweetened condensed milk products for Canadian consumers. 

Its other brands include Bick’s, Carnation, Double Fruit, Five Roses, Folgers, Jif, Meow Mix, Milk-Bone, Nature’s Recipe, Robin Hood and Smucker’s.

Speaking on the development, Lawrence MacAulay, Canada Minister of Agriculture, said: “The government of Canada is proud to contribute to the modernisation and competitiveness of the dairy processing industry, helping it grow and prosper.

“We are committed to ensuring our world-class dairy processors stay on the cutting edge and continue to meet growing consumer demand for high-quality products while creating well-paying jobs for Canadians.”

Last year, the company decided to sell its US baking business to private equity firm Brynwood Partners in a US$375 million deal.

The divestment included products sold in US retail channels under the Pillsbury, Martha White, Hungry Jack, White Lily, and Jim Dandy brands, along with all relevant trademarks and licensing agreements.

In the same year in April, JM Smucker acquired Ainsworth Pet Nutrition, the Meadville-based pet food company for US$1.9 billion.