Joe Preston, MP -- Elgin - Middlesex - London - Government of Canada supports jobs and growth in London

May 24, 2012

In the photo: MP Joe Preston, Minister Gary Goodyear and MP Susan Truppe

London, Ontario — Thanks in part to a $12-million investment by the Government of Canada, Dr. Oetker will bring made-in-London frozen pizzas to North American markets and create over 300 jobs in the London area in the process. The announcement was made today by the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), accompanied by Joe Preston, Member of Parliament for Elgin-Middlesex-London.

“With our investment, over 300 new jobs will be created here in the London area, and the new facility, warehouse and distribution centre will ensure that products from southern Ontario reach markets throughout North America,” said Minister Goodyear. “These contributions are enhancing the competitive advantage of the region and creating hundreds of new jobs, growth and long-term prosperity for our communities.”

“Our government’s investment in Dr. Oetker is supporting a key driver of southern Ontario’s economic growth: the food and beverage industry,” said MP Preston. “This investment is another example of how our government is standing behind our manufacturing sector to bring new economic opportunities to London and the surrounding area.”

Dr. Oetker has selected London as the home of its first North American frozen pizza manufacturing and warehouse facility, in which the company will invest $113 million. FedDev Ontario will add $10 million through its Prosperity Initiative for construction and equipment costs, while Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada will provide $2 million through its AgriProcessing Initiative (API) to help the company buy food processing equipment to make frozen pizzas.

This project is anticipated to create hundreds of direct jobs during construction and once the facility is operational, as well as hundreds of indirect jobs with the local suppliers and processors that will provide Dr. Oetker with ingredients and packaging materials. For example, the company will buy significant amounts of Canadian agricultural products, such as flour, cheese, tomato sauce and meat toppings, helping boost demand for the products of Ontario’s farmers. In fact, this project’s economic impact on southern Ontario is projected at $14.4 million during the project and $25.9 million annually after project completion.

“We are pleased to have been able to work closely with officials from FedDev Ontario and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada,” said Dr. Christian F. von Twickel, Executive Vice President of Dr. Oetker Canada Ltd. “We are delighted to be able to participate in today’s announcement and thank the federal government for the financial support provided to Dr. Oetker Canada for this project. As a fourth generation family-owned and run business, we are excited to be expanding our operations in Canada and creating many new jobs in London.”

For more information on this project and the Prosperity Initiative and the AgriProcessing Initiative, please see the backgrounder.

The investment announced today supports the Government of Canada’s science, technology, and innovation agenda, which is focused on increasing the country’s productivity, creating jobs and growing the economy.

Created in 2009, FedDev Ontario supports the southern Ontario economy by building on the region’s strengths and creating opportunities for jobs and economic growth. The Agency has launched a number of initiatives to create a Southern Ontario Advantage and place the region in a strong position to compete in the global economy. These initiatives are designed to encourage partnerships and support projects that help the region’s businesses and communities become more competitive, innovative and diversified. To learn more, please visit www.feddevontario.gc.ca or call 1-866-593-5505.