Press Releases

The Government Provides Support for the Growth of Kraft Heinz Canada in Québec

Development of the agri-food industry

Mont-Royal, November 17, 2020 – The Québec government is extending a $2 million loan to Kraft Heinz Canada through the ESSOR program to establish a ketchup production line at its Mount Royal plant. The $17 million USD (23,3 million $ CA) project will ultimately create 30 permanent jobs and maintain some 750 more.

Heinz Ketchup bottles on a shelf in a grocery store

The Minister for Transport and Minister Responsible for the Metropolis and the Montréal Region, Chantal Rouleau, made the announcement today.

In recent months, the team at Investissement Québec International has worked closely with Kraft Heinz Canada to ensure the company has all the resources and services it needs to transfer its production of Heinz ketchup from the U.S. to Montréal. The new production line is expected to produce over 100 million pounds of ketchup over the first two years of operation.

Quotes:

“The Kraft Heinz Canada plant is a big part of the Town of Mount-Royal’s economy and of the agri-food industry, both in the Greater Montréal area and Québec as a whole. The addition of a ketchup production line will consolidate the company’s position in Québec in addition to creating 30 permanent jobs and preserving some 750 more. Our government is pleased to support Kraft Heinz Canada’s growth in Greater Montréal.”

Chantal Rouleau, Minister for Transport and Minister Responsible for the Metropolis and the Montréal Region

“Kraft Heinz Canada, an important player in the agri-food industry in Greater Montréal, employs several hundred people in the region. With this new production line, it is taking concrete steps to ramp up local production and continue its growth here. This decision is proof positive that foreign subsidies too have a role to play in promoting and expanding local sourcing.”

Stéphane Paquet, President and CEO of Montréal International

“Kraft Heinz Canada is pleased to partner with the Québec government for this investment and to bring ketchup production back from the U.S. to Canada. Our Mount Royal plant has been an important part of the Québec economy for over six decades, and we are delighted to be able to help feed more Canadians every day thanks to investments like this one.”

Bruno Keller, President of Kraft Heinz Canada

Highlights :

With over 100 years of history, Kraft Heinz Canada is the largest food and drink company in the country. Its products can be found in more than 97% of Canadian homes.
• Its family of brands includes KD (macaroni and cheese), Philadelphia (cream cheese), Classico (pasta sauce), Maxwell House (coffee) and Renée’s Gourmet (salad dressings), along with Heinz ketchup and Kraft peanut butter.
The ESSOR program (French only) supports capital projects carried out in Québec with a view to increasing competitiveness and productivity, creating jobs and promoting sustainable development.