Campbell Soup Company has announced that it plans to shut down its Toronto manufacturing facility as part of improvements in its North American thermal supply chain.
Campbell plans to move its Canadian headquarters and commercial operations to a new location in the Greater Toronto Area.
Opened in 1931, the Toronto plant is the oldest in the Campbell thermal network. However recent significant productivity improvements and volume declines of canned soup in North America prompted the company to reassess its manufacturing operations, leading to the decision to wind down manufacturing at the Toronto facility. Because of its size and age, the plant can’t be efficiently retrofitted, Campbell says.
Campbell plans to operate the Toronto facility for up to 18 months and will close it in phases, transitioning its production to three U.S. thermal plants in Maxton, North Carolina; Napoleon, Ohio; and Paris, Texas.
Campbell employs nearly 600 people in Toronto including its headquarters, commercial operations and manufacturing functions. Approximately 380 manufacturing and manufacturing-related roles will be impacted. The company says it will help its employees during this transition, including career counselling and severance packages that recognize their commitment and service.
“We are committed to treating our employees with the respect and fairness they deserve,” said Ana Dominguez, president of Campbell Canada. “Despite this decision, Canada is important to Campbell. We are remaining in Canada and will continue to make important contributions to the food industry in this country.”
Site selection is underway for a new Toronto location, which will feature a Food Innovation Centre.
