Canadian poultry and pork processor Olymel started work on a CAD$31.5M (about $23.4 million) expansion project at its poultry slaughtering and cutting plant in St-Damase, Montérégie, QC, the company announced Monday. The company will construct 35,200 sq ft of additional space, acquire new high-capacity equipment and install new automated cutting, deboning and tray packing lines to increase the diversity of its operations add new activities.

“By acquiring the space and equipment needed to pre-package products directly at the plant, Olymel will be able to better serve clients who require large volumes of pre-packaged poultry products for their needs. Olymel will thus bring operations that used to take place externally in-house, enabling it to reduce product handling and transportation time, and have better control over quality order management and logistics,” Réjean Nadeau, the firm’s CEO, said in a release.

A new refrigerated warehouse, shipping area, and several production-related areas will also be built during the project. Olymel is also expanding the facility’s cafeteria and employee service areas.

“In addition to contributing to the economic development of the Montérégie region, this investment is an integral part of Olymel’s determination to consolidate its position in the poultry market, and after the recent months marked by the pandemic, it is also a sign of confidence in the future,” said Nadeau.

The St-Damase facility currently produces over 70 million kilos/yr of poultry products.