Canadian ice cream manufacturer Chapman’s will invest more than C$200m ($144.64m) to expand its operations in Markdale, Ontario.
Chapman’s, which was established in 1973, said in a statement to Just Food that initial planning for the expansion began a “couple of years ago”.
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The expansion will include the construction of a 175,000-square-foot production facility.
The initial phase of the new plant will include three production lines, with operations scheduled to begin mid-2026, the statement added.
A further three lines are planned for installation in 2027.
The company, which employs over 800 full-time staff, said the project will create 200 new “full-time” jobs.
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By GlobalData“This expansion comes at a critical time for Chapman’s. The competition from multinationals has only increased in recent years, and this project will help us to establish a stronger competitive ground,” said Ashley Chapman, COO of Chapman’s.
The project is being backed by a loan of up to C$27m from the Invest Ontario Fund.
Ashley Chapman added: “We are grateful to the province and Invest Ontario for the support on this project. Additional funding from Invest Ontario has allowed us to build a bigger facility and support higher paying jobs for Canadians.”
Chapman’s, which is owned by the Chapman family, boasts a diverse range of over 200 products. Its offerings span ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbet, and an array of water ice Lolly treats, alongside a multitude of single-serve novelties.
The facility will introduce products “never before sold in Canada”, though further details were not disclosed.
Chapman’s expects the investment to support the development of its “export business” to meet “growing” international demand.
Commenting on the development, Khawar Nasim, CEO of Invest Ontario, said: “Chapman’s is a household name in Canada and an Ontario success story. Through this expansion, they are reinforcing their roots at home while opening doors to the world market.
“We’re proud to support this Ontario business that will create opportunities for Ontarians and strengthen the province’s supply chain resilience.”
