MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO — Maple Leaf Foods Inc. is ramping up commercial production at its new Bacon Centre of Excellence in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Completed in October 2021, the Bacon Centre of Excellence began operating in 2022. The $182 million project spans 73,000 square feet to produce Maple Leaf Ready Crisp Fully Cooked bacon products.

“I am extremely proud of the work we are doing at our Bacon Centre of Excellence. Driving the growth of our brands via product quality and innovation is at the core of what we do,” said Curtis Frank, president and chief operating officer at Maple Leaf. “Customer and consumer demand for Canadian supply of pre-cooked bacon products is very robust, and we are excited about the positive impact we are having on the local economy as we have added about 350 new team members at this manufacturing facility.  With production continuing to ramp up, our Bacon Centre of Excellence is well on its way to delivering the financial returns that we expected.”

One of the benefiting companies from Maple Leaf’s increased production is A&W Canada, which operates over 1,000 restaurants across the country.

“Bacon is a key ingredient in some of our most iconic, craveable menu items, like the Teen Burger,” said Susan Senecal, chief executive officer at A&W Canada. “We are delighted to continue partnering with Maple Leaf Foods — a fellow Canadian company striving to bring simple, great tasting ingredients, farmed with care to Canadians — and celebrate this exciting milestone in their bacon journey.”

“A&W has been an important customer and business partner of Maple Leaf Foods for many years," said Michael H. McCain, Maple Leaf Foods’ CEO. “Both A&W and Maple Leaf Foods are powerhouse Canadian companies that are leading the way in delivering sustainable meats from humanely raised animals without antibiotics. Our ability to supply A&W’s bacon needs with this strategic investment in Canada is yet another example of how we are working together to create shared value.”

Maple Leaf expects that the Bacon Centre of Excellence will deliver approximately $30 million to its annual Adjusted EBIDTA once the project is fully ramped up in the second half of 2023.