Olymel announces $142-million expansion of Trois-Rivières plant
$142M upgrade to expand production, add automation
19 June 2025
2 minute read
By: In a recent press release, Olymel announced a $142-million expansion of its La Fernandière pork and poultry processing plant in Trois-Rivières, Quebec in Canada. Construction is set to begin immediately, with operations scheduled to start in spring 2026.
The project will expand the facility’s current sausage production to include a broader range of pork and poultry products. The plant will be converted into an integrated site where products can be fully processed and packaged on location. According to the company, this change is expected to reduce raw material transport, improve process alignment and increase production capacity.
The new facility will include equipment optimised with artificial intelligence to manage operations. Planned technologies include an industrial battery system, continuous cooking line, autonomous slicing, packaging, boxing and palletising operations, as well as driverless vehicles. These technologies are expected to improve consistency and allow for greater packaging flexibility, including the use of eco-friendly solutions.
The plant will also be used as a testing site for artificial intelligence applications that may be implemented across other Olymel operations.
In terms of occupational health and safety, the company plans to install ergonomic equipment to reduce physically demanding tasks and reassign workers to roles requiring more precision.
Energy efficiency measures include heat recovery systems, net-zero water-based cooking, and industrial batteries for energy storage. The facility will also feature a closed-circuit water system for ham cooking, and primary and secondary on-site water treatment infrastructure, including a stormwater retention pond.
The company expects the expansion will create approximately 50 new direct jobs, increasing the plant’s workforce to 400, along with additional indirect employment. Construction will be carried out by Drummondville-based Construction Bertrand Dionne. Premier Tech, based in Rivière-du-Loup, will design the plant’s palletizing and boxing systems. Most building materials will be sourced from within Quebec.
In connection with the expansion, Olymel will close two of its existing facilities in spring 2026: the Anjou plant, which employs 140 people, and the Cap-de-la-Madeleine plant, which employs 150. Employees at both sites will be offered positions at other company facilities, including the new plant in Trois-Rivières, located about 12 kilometres from the Cap-de-la-Madeleine location.
