Canadian dairy company Agropur Cooperative has announced it is closing its fluid milk plant in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The plant's operations will be transferred to other Agropur fluid milk facilities in Western Canada. A total of 48 employees will be affected by the closure, planned for September 24, 2021.
Agropur said it is closing the plant to optimize its fluid milk manufacturing operations. Given current market conditions, the company said it made a strategic decision to concentrate its fluid milk manufacturing operations for Western Canada at three other facilities, in Burnaby and Victoria in British Columbia and Edmonton, Alberta.
"Unfortunately, the level of investment required to maintain the plant's competitiveness in the coming years was becoming too high. We are making this strategic decision to optimize our consumer milk network in Western Canada. This will help simplify our business model and ensure our competitiveness," said Émile Cordeau, CEO.
Agropur said affected employees will be able to take advantage of available programs, including employment opportunities at other Agropur sites, severance packages, and the employee and family assistance program.