Jobs coming to huge manufacturing facility in Mississauga

A sizeable investment in First Choice Beverage’s 100,000-plus square foot Mississauga facility will create 20 new jobs and secure 91 existing ones, according to the province. 

Today, the Ontario government announced that the Canadian company, known for producing and packing juice and non-dairy milk beverages, is investing close to $50 million in its existing Courtneypark Drive East facility. 

In a news release, the province said the new positions will be “good paying” ones. 

The investment will allow the company, which produces So Nice Almond Beverages, So Good Soy Beverages, Minute Maid Orange Juice, Simply Orange Juice, and other products, to acquire new equipment, including robotics and automation features, to meet increased demand.

The province said it’s supporting the investment with $5 million in funding through the Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness (AMIC) stream of the Regional Development Program (RDP).

“As health and wellness concerns rise globally, our multimillion-dollar investment in a cutting-edge, high-tech and environmentally sensitive production facility will position Ontario as a global leader in the $200 billion USD non-carbonated beverage market,” said John G. Spiteri, COO and CFO of Lee Li Holdings, which operates First Choice Beverage, in a statement. 

“This market includes juices, iced teas, sports drinks, water, dairy, dairy alternatives and much more. Non-carbonated, thirst-quenching and nutritious beverages are staples in most refrigerators, pantries, and shelves across the country, with many familiar brands that Ontarians enjoy every day. This includes dairy produced right here in Ontario, which will also be exported throughout the Midwest and the entire Eastern Seaboard of the USA.”

Ontario is investing $170 million through its RDP to help manufacturers across the province grow.

“Manufacturing is the heart of our economy, driving innovation, creating jobs and supporting communities across the province,” said Mississauga-Malton MPP Deepak Anand in a statement.

“I’m proud of our government for working alongside local facilities like First Choice Beverage Inc. to support their project to enhance in-house manufacturing with cutting-edge technology, creating better jobs and helping to meet the growing demand for Ontario-made juices and dairy alternative beverages in Canada.”

According to the company’s website, the Mississauga facility produces more than 28,000 cases of beverages a day. The products are available in most major grocery stores, including Loblaws, Walmart, Whole Foods, Costo, Metro and others.