CAMDEN, N.J. — The Campbell Soup Co. said it will close its soup and broth manufacturing plant in Toronto as part of a multi-year cost savings initiative. The company also plans to move its Canadian headquarters and commercial operations to a new location in the Toronto area.
Significant productivity improvements and volume declines of canned soup in North America led to the decision to cease operations at the Toronto facility. Campbell soup and broth production will be moved to the company’s existing plants in Maxton, N.C.; Napoleon, Ohio; and Paris, Texas.
The Toronto plant opened in 1931 and cannot be retrofitted in “a way that is competitively viable” due to its size and age, the company said.
The company said it will operate the Toronto facility for up to 18 months and will close it in phases. Approximately 380 employees in manufacturing and manunfacturing-related roles will be affected.
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| Mark Alexander, president of Americas Simple Meals and Beverages at Campbell Soup |
“The decision to stop producing soup and broth in Canada was a difficult one,” said Mark Alexander, president, Americas Simple Meals and Beverages. “After a thorough review, we decided this was the best course of action for our business. We are operating in an increasingly challenging environment as our industry’s consumer and retail landscapes continue to change dramatically. This decision in no way reflects on the talent or dedication of our team at our Toronto facility, and we are committed to assisting them through this difficult transition.”
Over the next few months, Campbell Soup will relocate its Canadian headquarters, along with nearly 200 roles, to a new site in the Greater Toronto Area. The site will include a new Food Innovation Center, and the company said it will continue to make soup and broth recipes tailored to Canadian tastes.
As of Oct. 29, 2017, Campbell Soup had generated $345 million in annual ongoing cost savings from the previously announced, multi-year cost savings initiative.
