Sunnymel poultry plant begins production

Nov. 30, 2012, Clair, NB – After months of preparation, the Sunnymel plant in Clair in the Upper Madawaska, New Brunswick, which is jointly owned by Groupe Westco, the largest poultry producer in New Brunswick, and Quebec-based food processor Olymel, has officially begun production operations.

Operating under federal jurisdiction and under the supervision of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the Sunnymel plant has received accreditation from this agency and is therefore authorized start production operations. The Sunnymel plant has a weekly slaughtering capacity of 450,000 chickens, and when it reaches full capacity in early 2013, will employ more than 200 workers.

In recent months, employees have received training in various areas to help familiarize them with the new equipment and processes that make this plant one of the most modern in Canada. The plant’s supplies will come primarily from Westco farms and other producers in the Maritimes. Construction of the plant began in the summer of 2011, and required an investment of more than $50 million. The plant will distribute its products in the Maritimes market and elsewhere in Canada.