Siwin Foods eyes global expansion with new $13m meat factory

20-Mar-2014 - Last updated on 20-Mar-2014 at 10:21 GMT

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Siwin Foods looks to expand overseas with new factory

Canada-based Siwin Foods is in the process of building a new $13m meat processing plant in Edmonton, as it looks to extend its reach overseas.

The new factory is being built in partnership with Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency (ALMA), with the aim of reducing the firm’s current struggle with production bottlenecks due to a lack of capacity.

A subsidiary of Chinese company Yantai Xiwang Foods, Siwin produces a range of ready meals, including dumplings, frozen meats and ring sausages, with a heavy focus on Asian cuisine.

The site will enable Siwin to merge all of its existing production under one roof, as well as offering options for future expansion, according to ALMA. It will also incorporate industry-leading specifications, that meet the export requirements for the US and China – two of its target markets, it added.

Gord DeJong, vice-president, Siwin, said: "Creating an internationally competitive food company requires a lot of planning and investment.

"Right now, we are growing our domestic market share, but our ultimate goal is to sell Alberta-made products back into the Chinese market, as well as other international markets, like the US."

Gordon Cove, president and chief executive, ALMA, added: "We’ve done multiple projects with Siwin because the company’s story aligns closely with our goals. Our partnership with Siwin is increasing domestic capacity, as Siwin is using Alberta meat to produce products with limited domestic competition.

"This same partnership also advances our international market aims as Siwin’s long-term strategy is to sell product internationally."