Ontario/IBNS-CMEDIA: Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Ltd. will invest $141 million to renovate and expand its flagship manufacturing, distribution and sales centre in Brampton, adding a new production line and creating construction jobs.
According to a government release, the expansion will introduce a production line capable of manufacturing at least 20 million additional cases annually.
The project is expected to create up to 500 jobs during the construction phase.
Premier Doug Ford described the investment as a vote of confidence in Ontario’s workforce and manufacturing sector.
The new production line will be built by Canadian tradespeople, with at least 75% of materials sourced domestically, according to the government.
Officials said the upgraded facility will increase production capacity and packaging capabilities and allow the company to bring new products to market more quickly.
The investment follows an $8 million upgrade to Coke Canada Bottling’s Hamilton distribution centre last year.
Vic Fedeli, Ontario’s minister of economic development, job creation and trade, said the expansion strengthens the province’s position as a major food and beverage manufacturing jurisdiction in North America.
According to a statement, Coke Canada Bottling has invested more than $230 million in its Brampton operations since becoming an independent, family-owned company seven years ago.
The facility employs more than 1,300 workers and services over 7,000 customers from Kitchener to Oshawa. Products manufactured at the site are distributed across Ontario and eastern Canada.
Todd Parsons, chief executive officer of Coke Canada Bottling, said the investment will add digital manufacturing enhancements to improve operational flexibility.
The Ontario government said the province has attracted more than $213 billion in investment since 2018 and created one million jobs during that period.
(Reporting by Suman Das)
