Ontario meat processor gets federal cash for new equipment
by Rebecca Reid
Technology will enable production of a split-resistant sausage.
BRAMPTON, Ont.—An Ontario meat processing plant has received $826,000 in funding from the federal government to purchase new machinery for its facility in Brampton, Ont.
Cardinal Meat Specialists plans to use the new equipment to produce a higher quality sausage that is more resistant to splitting and bursting while cooking. It says, to the best of its knowledge, it is the first meat processor in Canada to deploy this technology.
This family-owned business anticipates this new offering will result in increased production and sales, and will allow the company to create new jobs. If successful, Cardinal says it will increase its procurement of Canadian beef, pork and wheat.
The company also operates another manufacturing facility and outlet store at its site in Mississauga, Ont.
Cardinal received the cash as part of the AgriProcessing Initiative (API), part othe Agricultural Flexibility Fund. The federal program was announced in the 2009 budget and provides loans to existing companies for agri-processing projects that involve the adoption of technologies or manufacturing processes that are new to the company.
“The AgriProcessing Initiative…will help Cardinal develop niche products, stimulate competitiveness and expand the Canadian agri-processing marketplace,” said Brent Cator, Cardinal’s president.
The program may also cover costs of contracting external expertise for design, equipment installation and consulting services. Eligible companies will receive up to $2 million or up to 50 per cent of costs, depending which is less. The five-year program expires March 31, 2014 and has a cap of $50 million.
Cardinal is the second company this month to receive funding from API. On August 2, Weston Foods Canada Inc., a manufacturer of baked goods, recieved $95,000 to test an onsite bio-digester for wastewater treatment. This processes would enable the water to be reused or disposed of without having to be discharged to municipal sewers, at the company’s expense. As a result, the company would save money and have the ability to use water more efficiently.
