New P&H mill receives $10 million loan

Hamilton – The federal government has announced a $10 million investment, in the form of a repayable loan, to Parrish and Heimbecker Ltd. (P&H) for the ongoing construction of a wheat flour milling plant being constructed on Hamilton’s Bayfront, reported to be the first new industrial flour mill to be built in Ontario in 75 years.

According to a government release, the plant will have a built-in traceability feature that will help identify specific product batches in the event of a product recall, and it also uses the latest wheat cleaning technology to improve food safety by removing impurities before milling. 

The Winnipeg-based P&H expects to buy more wheat from producers – quadrupling its procurement – while adding 16 full-time jobs at the new Hamilton facility.

“We are proud to support Parrish and Heimbecker’s construction of this state-of-the-art flour mill facility,” said Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, in the release. “Not only will this new mill use exciting new technologies that will improve consumer confidence in wheat products, but it will support many good paying jobs and help grow the middle class.”

The loan is part of the Growing Forward 2 AgriInnovation Program, the same initiative that supported a new flour and specialty organic products mill in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que. built by La Meunerie Milanaise Inc.

“Parrish & Heimbecker has been part of the Canadian agriculture and food community for over 100 years, and we value the partnerships we have developed over that time,” said Derek Jamieson, president and C.O.O., Parrish and Heimbecker Milling Group, in the release. “This investment through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s AgriInnovation Fund supports P&H Milling Group’s ongoing commitment to food safety, innovation, productivity and quality. This project will also enable P&H Milling Group to continue to grow with our customers and support the sustainable growth of the baking industry in Canada.”

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