Olymel officially inaugurated its new integrated plant in Trois-Rivières last week, marking the completion of one of the largest modernisation projects in the company's history, according to the company. The $142 million project significantly expanded the plant and upgraded it into a state-of-the-art facility.
With an annual production capacity of 50 million kilograms, more than four times its original capacity, the plant now handles pork and poultry processing, slicing, and packaging all under one roof. In addition to La Fernandière sausages and hams, the plant now produces the vast majority of Olymel's deli meats sold across the country.
"Today, we're celebrating the successful completion of a key project for Olymel and recognizing the exceptional work of our teams and many partners," said Daniel Rivest, CEO of Olymel. "They worked tirelessly for over 15 months to bring this high-tech facility to life, and I'm very proud of that. Thanks to them, we're now better equipped to serve our customers in Canada and around the world."
The Trois-Rivières plant incorporates innovative technologies in energy efficiency, automation, and artificial intelligence, supporting Olymel's commitment to reducing operations-related greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030. New equipment includes an industrial battery system, described as an industry first in Canada, that stores energy during low-demand periods and releases it during peak demand to reduce strain on the Hydro-Québec power grid. Other innovations include a shift toward water-based over air-based cooking, heat recovery, closed-loop water management, and reduced transportation.
The project was announced in June 2025, with the first new production lines phased in last May. The plant was expanded from 51,700 to 137,200 square feet, nearly 2.5 times its original size, and roughly 100 jobs have been created, bringing the total workforce to about 400 employees.
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