The Original Cakerie announces $40 million investment in London

LONDON, ON —The Original Cakerie has announced plans to locate its manufacturing facility in London, Ontario. The announ- cement, which took place on Feb. 29, represents a capital investment of $40 million, with employment expected to reach 400 employees when they start production early next year. This 125,000 sq. ft. facility will be located on 20 acres in Innovation Park.

The Original Cakerie is Canada’s largest, privately owned dessert company, based in Vancouver, BC, producing layer cakes, dessert cakes and dessert bars. This expansion into Ontario will support its rapid growth to retailers and food service companies throughout Canada and the United States. Their products are available through major retailers such as M&M Meats, and Kroger’s, grocery stores, and food service providers such as Sodexho and Aramark.

“The Original Cakerie’s investment demonstrates strong confidence in, and commitment to our community,” says Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best. “We warmly welcome them to London and know they will be successful here.”

Peter White, President and CEO of the London Economic Development Corporation concurred with Mayor DeCicco-Best’s thoughts, adding “it has been an absolute pleasure, and honour, for the LEDC team to work closely with such a wonderful company. The Original Cakerie produces a high quality product, sourcing natural ingredients from regional suppliers. This isn’t just a success story for London, but a success story for the whole region. We look forward to continuing to support The Original Cakerie as they grow in our community.”

David Hood, President of The Original Cakerie remarked, “We pride ourselves in creating delicious, high quality desserts and we’re aiming to be an employer of choice. London and the surrounding rural communities have the perfect combination of skilled labour, material resources and a community culture that is aligned with our company’s core values.”

The Original Cakerie is already planning future expansions. Phase II will see its London facility double in size to 250,000 sq. ft., and add an additional 100 jobs.

The Original Cakerie Ltd. was established in 1979 as a small industrial bakery producing high quality food service desserts for local restaurants in Victoria, BC. The company has expanded and grown over the past 25 years and is now the largest privately owned frozen dessert manufacturer in Canada.

Also on hand for the announcement were Khalil Ramal, MPP London-Fanshawe, Hon. Chris Bentley, MPP London West and Hon. Deb Matthews, MPP London North Centre. The province was pleased to announce their investment of $2.5 million to The Original Cakerie and its partner, the Ontario Wheat Producers’ Marketing Board, for the construction of the new plant in London.

Ontario’s wheat producers and dairy and egg farmers will benefit from the company’s need for local ingredients. The Original Cakerie anticipates an expenditure of up to $30 million per year in agricultural inputs (flour, eggs, cream, fruit and sweeteners) from Ontario and this number is expected to grow annually.

DIGGING DIRT: Are (l. to r.) Peter White, President and CEO, London Economic Development Corporation; Khalil Rhamal, MPP, London-Fanshawe; Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best; David Hood, President, The Original Cakerie; Chris Bentley, MPP, London West; Deb Matthews, MPP London North Centre.

NEWS IN BRIEF

New Executive Director of OHCOW

HAMILTON (CNW) — Alec Farquhar, Managing Director of the Ontario Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW) has announced that Leah Casselman is the new Executive Director of the Hamilton Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers.

For the past twelve years, Casselman served as President of the Ontario Public Service Employee’s Union (OPSEU) operating as the Chief Executive Officer for the Union overseeing and directing all lead staff.

Casselman’s background in management, leadership and partnership building and her record of achievement is well suited to the mandate of OHCOW which aims to protect and improve workers’ health by identifying hazardous workplace factors and making recommendations to improve or eliminate those factors.

“I am so excited and indeed thrilled that Leah has chosen to join OHCOW,” Farquhar said. “She is a major leader who literally helped make history in Ontario. She is an excellent communicator, pragmatic, and has a proven record of achievement.” 

Economic Partnership hits the road

SARNIA-LAMBTON – The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership took its message on the road. A group of 20 staff members involved with foreign investment from the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, along with private developers, joined Economic Partnership General Manager George Mallay and municipal county representatives for breakfast in Toronto the morning of Feb. 29.

“These people are often the first point of contact for companies looking for a new location. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to speak with so many of them at one time,” said Economic Partnership General Manager George Mallay. “It’s an excellent opportunity to share knowledge, forge new relationships, and create a new awareness of Sarnia-Lambton. It is another opportunity for us to bringing our community to the ‘front line’ of economic development.”

The breakfast meeting focused on the benefits Sarnia-Lambton can bring to potential industry, Sarnia-Lambton’s growing importance as an Alternative Energies Centre, and the current and anticipated economic activity taking place in Sarnia-Lambton. 

Oakville receives additional capital funding for local transit

OAKVILLE — Ontario is granting $1,265,903 million to help improve public transit in Oakville, MPP Kevin Flynn announced on behalf of Transportation Minister Jim Bradley.

“Our government continues to invest in public transit in Oakville,” said MPP Flynn. “By working together, we are creating greener transportation options and fostering the next generation of economic growth.”

“Once again our MPP Kevin Flynn delivers for Oakville,” said Mayor Rob Burton. “The Provincial government is helping us achieve our goal of being the most livable town in Canada.”

The funding is aimed at helping public transit systems to modernize equipment and facilities and keep them in a state of good repair. Purchases can include:

• conventional and specialized transit vehicles, bus engines, bus shelters

• hybrid buses — more fuel-efficient and lower-emission vehicles

• security equipment — security cameras and terminal security lighting

• fare collection systems, communications systems and GPS systems.

 Businesswomen of KW launch new Women’s Leadership Xchange

KITCHENER — Kitchener’s-own Springboard Marketing Group has launched the Women’s Leadership Xchange (WLX) — a much needed and first-of-its kind lunch series for businesswomen in the K-W region. Each luncheon will feature a successful businesswoman who will share her own insights and encourage the exchange of knowledge and expertise amongst the local businesswomen in attendance.

The first luncheon was held on March 4 and featured Trish McKegg-Vandermey from Knightsbridge Human Capital Solutions. McKegg-Vandermey is an expert in the human capital field and discussed the importance of coaching to develop team leadership including tips for women on how to enhance their own distinct coaching style.

“Whether women in Kitchener-Waterloo are leading their own companies or are leaders in the corporate, government or not-for-profit sectors, they have unique challenges,” said Principal, Megan Harris, Springboard Marketing Group. “The Women’s Leadership Xchange wants to provide an opportunity for these women to connect with each other in a comfortable environment that encourages them to share experiences with the goal of building stronger and more successful businesswomen of the future.” 

Burlington’s Sound of Music Festival recognized in Top 100 Festivals

BURLINGTON — Burlington’s Sound of Music Festival earned top honours as one of Ontario’s Top 100 Festivals for the 8th year in a row as announced during the annual Festival and Events Ontario conference held in London, Ontario February 20-23, 2008. Each year Festivals & Events Ontario recognizes and celebrates the finest from thousands of festivals and events that are held in the Province each year.

June 12 – 15, 2008 will mark the Festivals 29th year of bringing “Four Fabulous Days of Music” to Spencer Smith Park, the city’s beautiful waterfront park and downtown core. Through the generosity and support of sponsors and the dedication of more than 400 volunteers, the Festival continues to be a FREE event for music lovers of all ages, welcoming an estimated 180,000 visitors annually. For more information visit www.soundofmusic.on.ca.

Controls Contract $23M water treatment plant awarded to JMP

BURLINGTON — Since last spring, the town of Smith Falls in Ontario has been working on plans for a much needed water treatment plant to meet the growing needs of its community. After many months of work, the announcement for the new plant has been made and JMP is to be the controls provider for this needed plant.

“The Township had a tight budget that required additional design work through the summer,” Marc Falardeau of JMP’s Environmental Division indicated. “This new solution truly meets the needs of the community and is a great opportunity for JMP to contribute to it.” JMP’s solution covers a broad range of services. The project scope will include control design, supply, and integration for the high lift and low lift pumps, UV system, high-rate clarifier, generator, filters, and an efficient Wonderware SCADA system.

JMP will also be supplying and configuring the plant network hardware which includes a plant–wide Ethernet network with a wireless radio component, an intercom system, and a closed caption TV monitoring system. 

Oxford Learning anticipates Franchise growth

LONDON — Over the past decade, escalating competition, crowded classrooms, and busy extracurricular schedules have become top concerns for parents. So, it is logical that with the pressures facing children today, the market for learning centres has grown into a $4 billion a year industry.

Learning centres, like Sylvan and Kumon, rank as some of the top franchise opportunities in North America. And according to Oxford Learning, Canada’s largest supplemental education system, that growth will only continue to increase in Western Canada.

These franchise opportunities are now being filled by a younger set of community-minded entrepreneurs with a shared desire for building a fulfilling career working with children. Within three months, Oxford’s franchise owners have gone from the monotony of a day job, to the daily adventure of running a growing business.