Aug 31 2010 --- Cargill Limited has announced it will be closing its Toronto, Ontario Case Ready facility in the spring of 2011. The decision impacts 600 unionized employees and 90 management positions. Cargill's other Case Ready operations in Calgary, Alberta and Chambly, Québec will remain unaffected by the change.

Cargill Limited employs over 10,000 people across Canada and has business interests in meat, egg and oilseed processing, animal feed, salt, chocolate, natural gas, crop inputs, as well as grain handling, merchandising and milling.

“This is part of the company's strategic realignment and optimization of its further processing capacity and service delivery for our valued Canadian customers. Cargill's other further processing operation in Guelph, Ontario will benefit with an expansion, enhanced processing and packaging capabilities, resulting in up to 200 new jobs for the local community,” the company said in a statement.

"The decision to discontinue operations at the Toronto facility was very difficult, however, it was made knowing we had the ability to optimize our supply chain and provide real and enhanced value through leveraging our existing operations in Guelph. This realignment is all about our long term commitment to being the partner of choice. It was driven in part by our attention to efficiency and our clear understanding of our customers' evolving need for increased value" said Jason Kuan, VP, and General Manager for Case Ready Canada.

Cargill will take every necessary measure to ensure that every one of its employees has access to career transition and personal and family support. With a large number of the employee base near retirement, the company will also provide expertise to detail all the available options.

'While we are sad to see the Toronto facility close its doors, it is time to look forward. Today marks another step ahead in support of our retail partners as well as the agriculture community" noted Kuan.

When Cargill purchased the two processing operations in Guelph in 2005 and later expanded valued added operations in Calgary in 2009, the company confirmed our commitment to be a key player in the meat supply chain in Canada.