Ideal Can Brings Major Investment to Ontario
Canada’s largest food can maker, Ideal Can, is making headlines with an $80 million investment to revive a long-vacant factory in Chatham. Business leaders believe this move will not only create jobs but also help reduce food costs by keeping more processing in Canada instead of sending crops to the U.S. and buying them back at higher prices.
Why Chatham Was the Perfect Choice
CEO Erick Vachon confirmed operations at the Irwin Street facility will begin in February. The site, once home to Crown Metal Packaging, has been empty for nearly ten years. Its strategic location in Ontario’s food processing belt—close to tomato-rich Leamington and Dresden—made it the perfect fit.
“In this area, you have six major fillers,” Vachon explained. About 90% of products canned here are tomato-based, while beans, corn, and potatoes make up the rest.
Production Plans and Job Creation
At full speed, the Chatham plant will produce about one billion cans each year and employ around 100 people. Operations will mirror Ideal Can’s Quebec facility, running 24 hours a day, six days a week. A day will be reserved for maintenance to keep systems efficient.
The expansion will roll out gradually, with new production lines added every six months. Each line will handle a different can size, ensuring the plant covers the six main market diameters.
Local Economic Ripple Effect
Rory Ring, President and CEO of the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce, expects the investment to spark a significant ripple effect.
“From a dollar perspective, the economic activity can be upwards of three times the initial investment,” Ring noted. That translates into an estimated $240 million in regional economic impact.
While 100 people will work directly at the factory, suppliers, contractors, and logistics networks could generate an additional 300 to 500 jobs.
A Boost for the Buy Canadian Movement
Ring highlighted how the project aligns with the growing “Buy Canadian” movement, strengthened by U.S. tariffs. “This is always great to see us add value, as opposed to shipping it to the U.S. to be processed and then buying it back for twice as much,” he said.
He stressed that tariffs have made everyday costs higher for families, making Ideal Can’s Canadian-based production even more valuable.
Tariffs and Timing
Although Ideal Can planned this expansion before trade disputes arose, Vachon said the timing works out well for Canadian consumers.
“The only winners from tariffs are the customers, because when the fillers choose Ideal Can, the price for Canadians doesn’t increase in the market,” he explained.
With this investment, Chatham is set to become a vital hub for Canadian food production, proving that local growth can deliver global competitiveness.
Stay tuned to Maple Wire for the next news update.
