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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Champion Petfoods Plans Alberta, Canada, Operations Hub

05/16/2017
Canada-based Champion Petfoods LP, is building a new state-of-the-art, custom-fitted kitchens in Parkland County, Alberta, Canada.

According to company officials, the facility will be designed to advance the company’s Biologically Appropriate mandate and accommodate the growing global demand for its award-winning pet food brands, ACANA and ORIJEN. Champion is planning to break ground in late June on the new NorthStar Kitchens, which are scheduled to begin preparing ACANA and ORIJEN foods in the spring of 2019 while creating approximately 200 new jobs.

“We are extremely excited to be bringing the world’s best kitchens back to our home, here in Alberta,” said Frank Burdzy, President & CEO of Champion Petfoods. “We are once again thrilled to welcome Gray as our trusted partner as they truly are experts in delivering custom-fitted state-of-the art kitchens that will advance our Biologically Appropriate™, Fresh Regional Ingredients and Never Outsourced mandate. Additionally, these new kitchens will expand our cooking capacity which will allow us to build more trusted partnerships in the place we have called home for over 30 years.”

“Champion Petfoods’ expansion means hundreds of new jobs for Albertans and a more resilient, diversified local economy for Parkland County, that’s why we’re committed to making sure Alberta continues to be the best place in Canada to invest and do business. Together with homegrown industry leaders like Champion, we are building on our strengths and making life better for Alberta families,” said Deron Bilous, Alberta’s minister of economic development and trade.

Situated on 75 acres of farmland, the new NorthStar Kitchens will continue serving Champion’s Canadian and export markets consisting of over 80 countries. More than 95 percent of the project workforce will be staffed locally from Alberta. Gray Construction Canada Company will help fulfill Champion’s vision of a 400,000 square foot kitchens that will prepare both kibble and freeze-dry foods and treats. This development will also include a full on-site distribution warehouse and logistics center.

Champion said it chose Parkland County as the location for the new kitchens because of their business-friendly focus and strong agricultural community. The location fits not only the technical requirements of a state-of-the-art kitchens but will also be a great home for ACANA and ORIJEN.

“The council is tremendously excited to welcome Champion Petfoods to Parkland County and our community,” said Parkland County Mayor Rod Shaigec. “The facility is a significant investment that will create hundreds of jobs in our local area.”

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