MP Lizon Announces Important Investment in New Product Testing & Development Spaces Supporting Southern Ontario's Food and Beverage Industries

MISSISSAUGA, ONARIO--(Marketwired - July 22, 2015) - Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)

Today, Member of Parliament for Mississauga East-Cooksville Wladyslaw Lizon, on behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, announced that the Harper Government will be providing up to $10.1 million that will strengthen the food and beverage sectors in southern Ontario

MP Lizon announced an investment of up to $3.1 million for Furlani's Food Corporation to improve efficiency, productivity and boost its production capacity of specialty food products. This repayable contribution is through FedDev Ontario's Investing in Business Growth and Productivity initiative,

Furlani's Food Corporation is a privately-owned manufacturer of specialty garlic bread products, such as garlic toast, breadsticks and loaves. The company will be investing in advanced production equipment and a building expansion to add 21,900-square feet of freezer space. In addition to increasing production capacity, the adoption of new technologies will allow the company to develop a new line of breadstick products and expand its existing line of products, which will enhance the company's competitiveness in global markets.

In addition, George Brown College, through its Office of Research and Innovation, is receiving funding of up to $7,001,072 to expand their Food Innovation and Research Studio (FIRSt) and establish new labs for research and development to support product and process improvement for the food and beverage industry. This
$14-million project will include a Bake and Large Quantity Lab; a Beverage Research Lab, a Culinary and Large Quantity Lab and a new Industry Engagement and Interaction facility, to support the introduction and launch of new food products and services.

This investment, funded through FedDev Ontario's Investing in Commercialization Partnerships initiative, will also assist small- and medium-sized companies to access the necessary equipment, testing and development space and networking opportunities needed to bring new products and services to market.

Quick Facts

• Established in 1984, Furlani's Food Corporation has grown from a small, garlic bread manufacturer to an established baker and distributer of fresh and frozen specialty bread products.
• This project is expected to create up to 74 full-time equivalent jobs by 2017 and an additional 34 full-time equivalent jobs in the two years after this project's completion. It will leverage close to $8.8 million through private sector investments.
• The investment in George Brown College will build on the successes of the Food Innovation and Research Studio (FIRSt), which is supported and managed through GBC's Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts - Canada's largest applied research and education centre, focusing on hospitality and culinary arts.
• This project will create up to 76 jobs by the project's completion plus an additional 54 jobs in the three years after the project.
• FedDev Ontario's contribution of $7 million will leverage another $7 million as follows: $4.7 million from George Brown College, $0.5 million from NSERC, and $2 million from industry partners.
• Ontario has the largest food and beverage processing industry in Canada and accounted for 14.7 percent of manufacturing jobs in 2013.

Quotes

"Today's announcement speaks to our Government's commitment to supporting quality manufacturers and keeping a strong food and beverage supply chain in Ontario. This investment will allow reputable and innovative organizations to strengthen manufacturing capacity, which will pave the way to economic growth, jobs and opportunities."

- Wladyslaw Lizon, Member of Parliament for Mississauga East - Cooksville

"Furlani's has grown to become one of the strongest competitors in frozen specialty bread production, through its dedicated employees, emphasis on continuous improvement and innovation, and willingness to invest to grow. We are grateful and honored to receive this financing from FedDev Ontario. It is a great support to our company and allows us to expand our capabilities, improve our competitive position, and continue to grow."

- Jonathan Kawaja, Chief Operating Officer, Furlani's Food Corporation.

"George Brown College is proud of the role we play in supporting job creation and business growth. Our increased capabilities in applied research, made possible by FedDev Ontario and by donor and industry support, will result in new and enhanced partnerships within the food and beverage industry. This will drive product and business innovation while providing our students with hands-on experience as they prepare for their future careers."

- Anne Sado, President, George Brown College

Related Products

Speech: Investing in Business Growth and Productivity Initiative Funding Announcement for Furlani's Food Corporation and George Brown College

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Investing in Business Growth and Productivity initiative

Investing in Commercialization Partnerships

Furlani's Food Corporation

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Speaking Points

Wladyslaw Lizon, Member of Parliament for Mississauga East -Cooksville

Funding Announcement for Furlani's Food Corporation (Investing in Business Growth and Productivity Initiative) and George Brown College (Investing in Commercialization Partnerships)

Mississauga, Ontario

July 22, 2015

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Good morning ladies and gentlemen.

As a Member of Parliament for this region, I am always happy to witness and celebrate our Government's support for the innovative businesses and manufacturers that driving our province's prosperity.

As many of you know, this area of southern Ontario is home to a number of important manufacturing facilities. Mississauga is a key hub in both the automotive and aerospace sectors and is recognized as having the third largest life science sector in the country.

Mississauga is also a strong contributor to the food and beverage industry.

Thanks to the support of our Government, combined with the innovative efforts of our skilled and resourceful businesses, this region continues to develop and bring to market highly successful, homegrown products.

Under Economic Action Plan 2015, our Government will continue to implement the right kind of strategies to create jobs, growth and security across southern Ontario.

Since 2006, we have created a low-tax environment for business investment. We have expanded access to foreign markets. We have supported innovation and world-class research, helped to train a highly skilled workforce, and created business opportunities through government procurement.

Economic Action Plan 2015 also introduced significant support for the manufacturing sector - and this includes the accelerated capital costs allowance.

The manufacturing sector is a major contributor to Canada's economy, employing more than 1.7 million Canadians. The food and beverage industry is especially strong. In fact, it was the largest manufacturing industry in Canada in 2014. And Ontario has the largest food and beverage processing industry in Canada and accounted for 14.7 percent of manufacturing jobs in 2013

Our Government recognizes the need to support the development and growth of this industry. We need to invest in smart companies and partnerships so that they can find the right tools, and implement the right changes, to make their business grow and prosper in a competitive, global market.

When Canadian companies invest in state-of-the-art equipment and structures, they increase their productivity and competitiveness.

This leads, in part, to the reason we are standing here today.

Furlani's Food Corporation is a company that has made a clear commitment to service excellence. Your company places a high priority on efficient production and the development of quality products.

Furlani's is a privately-owned business that has been in operation for more than 30 years. It was initially established as a small producer of garlic spread products.

Over the years, the company has worked hard to remain competitive and produce high-quality, fresh and frozen breads for its growing client base.

Furlani's Food Corporation is currently the only Canadian manufacturer to exclusively specialize in the production of frozen garlic breads. The company is now taking the necessary steps to strengthen its manufacturing capabilities to remain competitive and expand its domestic and export sales.

George Brown College has established itself as a support system for innovation and commercialization within the food industry, thanks to its Food Innovation and Research Studio. This research facility has supported small- and medium-sized companies by providing resources for recipe testing and design, as well as food product development, manufacturing and business development services.

George Brown is looking to enhance the level of support that they are providing the Food and Beverage industries - with the goal of creating even more opportunities for collaboration and development.

Our Government recognizes the value of strengthening and supporting the growth of innovative companies. We believe in providing the right tools to allow businesses to grow and prosper.

With this in mind, I am pleased to announce on behalf of the honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, that our Government, is providing Furlani's Food Corporation with up to $3.1 million dollars.

With this funding, Furlani's Food Corporation will be able to acquire advanced equipment and add 21,900-square feet of freezer space to its facility here in Mississauga.

This investment will allow the company to enhance its reach in global markets, most notably in the United States - where there is already a strong consumer demand for their products.

I am pleased to note that this project will allow the company to add a new line of breadstick products as well as improve the production capacity of its specialty garlic bread products.

This is excellent news for the suppliers in this region, and across southern Ontario, as more than 75 percent of Furlani's Food Corporation's ingredients and packing come from southern Ontario suppliers.

I am sure everyone will be excited to learn that this project expects to create up to 74 full-time jobs by 2017 and an additional 34 jobs in the two years after this project's completion.

I am also pleased to announce that we are providing George Brown College with an investment of up to $7 million to help expand their commercialization services and support the establishment of new product and process applied research and development labs.

The new facilities will include a Bake and Large Quantity Lab, a Beverage Research Lab, a Culinary and Large Quantity Lab and a new Industry engagement facility.

Collaboration between research institutions and small- and medium-sized companies can help support the commercialization of new products and services- and ultimately to more job creation.

The additional lab space at George Brown College helps increase the capacity to support more companies, researchers and producers and creates more opportunities to conduct applied research, collaborate, test and develop new and innovative food and beverage products.

The consumer demand for innovative, specialty food products is especially strong in culturally diverse, thriving cities like Mississauga and Toronto. This project will help strengthen the Food and Beverage cluster in the greater Toronto area and across Ontario.

I am sure you will all be pleased to hear that this project is expected to create or maintain close to 76 jobs by the project's completion, plus an additional 54 jobs in the three years after the project period.

Our Government believes that smart investments like these will help our businesses grow and remain sustainable over the long-term.

Congratulations. I look forward to seeing your company grow and achieve long-term success in the years to come.