LEAMINGTON, Ont. – Food giant Heinz says it has reached a preliminary deal with Highbury Canco Corp. to allow Highbury to acquire its tomato processing plant Leamington, Ont., saving it from complete closure.
Heinz, a major employer in the southwestern Ontario town, announced plans last November to close the facility by late June, putting close to 800 full-time employees out of work.
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But Heinz announced today it has signed a letter of intent with Highbury – a Canadian company – to acquire the Leamington facility and to also act as a co-packer for Heinz.
Highbury said it intends to employ about 250 people plus additional seasonal workers.
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Michael Mullen, a senior vice-president with Heinz, says the deal is subject to the successful completion of the full transaction but calls it “great news for Heinz and for Leamington.”
He says Heinz received many expressions of interest in the facility and said the company is happy it was able to find a “strong new partner” in Canco.
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