The Coca-Cola Company will invest CAD 85 million ($66 million) to build a new dairy production facility in Ontario, Canada, which will produce drinks for the company’s Fairlife brand.
Canada will be the first international market for Fairlife products, as the brand’s product range will be introduced to the country by the end of 2018, and Coca-Cola says the new facility will support the growth of the brand in the country.
Scheduled to begin operations in the first quarter of 2020, the plant will produce various flavours of Fairlife Ultrafiltered Milk in 1.5l PET bottles and in 240ml PET bottles.
The new facility will create approximately 35 jobs, and will utilise milk from local dairy farmers, as Coca-Cola will collaborate with the Dairy Farmers of Ontario to support the growth of the dairy industry in the region.
Shane Grant, president of Coca-Cola Canada said: “This announcement is a significant step in our journey to be a total beverage company. We are listening to consumers and evolving our business strategy to respond.
“We have launched an unprecedented number of new products into the Canadian market over the last 18 months including smaller package formats and new brands, such as Gold Peak, Smartwater sparkling, Glaceau Fruitwater, Vitaminwater active, Peace Tea, and Powerade Zero.
“Adding Fairlife Ultrafiltered Milk to our portfolio means we can offer Canadians more of what they are looking for – products with less sugar, more functional benefits and more natural ingredients.”
Tim Doelman, chief operating officer of Fairlife added: “We couldn’t be more excited to continue the Fairlife journey with our forthcoming expansion into Canada.
“We’re continuing to experience tremendous growth as more and more people are becoming dedicated fans of our rich tasting and nutritious milk, and we’re confident that Canadians are going to love it as well.
“The decision to launch Fairlife in Canada was an easy one to make, given the high farming and dairy standards already in place. All of our products start with high quality, great tasting fresh milk, which is what Canadian dairy farms are dedicated to as well.”
Source: FoodBev Media