Winnipeg, Manitoba – (October 25, 2017) Today, the Board of Directors and management of MDI Holdings Corp. welcomed government and industry representatives to view the new, state-of-the-art dairy processing facility in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
MDI Holdings Corp., is a joint venture between two leading, innovative dairy processors, Vitalus Nutrition Inc. and Gay Lea Foods Co-operative Ltd. This facility is the result of ingenuity and dynamic partnerships that are redefining the dairy industry in Western Canada for future growth and stability.
The new $100 M dairy facility is now processing a significant volume of milk from Manitoba and Western Canada, resolving Manitoba dairy farmers’ concern with inadequate processing capacity and subsequently positioning the province as a leader in growth, innovation and modernization of the Canadian dairy industry.
The year-long construction that included the commissioning of specially fabricated production lines and equipment was completed by local engineering and construction firms, supporting the trades sector in Winnipeg and surrounding area.
QUOTES
“We have designed and built this new facility utilizing high quality Canadian milk to further support Vitalus as a global market leader in developing high quality, innovative, customized dairy proteins. MDI provides an additional platform for Vitalus in our enduring purpose to improve lives by unlocking the nutritional value of milk.”
– Philip Vanderpol, President & CEO, Vitalus Nutrition Inc. and Chair of MDI Holdings Corp.
“In addition to supporting Manitoba and Western Canadian dairy farmers by creating new processing capacity to transform milk from their farms into high quality dairy products, the new processing facility also enables Gay Lea Foods, as Canada’s leading butter producer, to better service our valued retail and foodservice customers, growing the Canadian food manufacturing sector across Canada.”
– Michael Barrett, President & CEO, Gay Lea Foods
“We’re excited to have new dairy processing capacity and capabilities in Manitoba and Western Canada as we continue to grow a sustainable dairy industry with our industry partners. Dairy Farmers of Manitoba and the Western dairy farmer organizations are pleased to provide the milk for this leading-edge processing facility.”
– David Wiens, Chair, Dairy Farmers of Manitoba
QUICK FACTS
- MDI Holdings Corp. is short for “Manitoba Dairy Ingredients Holdings Corporation.”
- The facility, with a current milk processing capacity of up to 180 ML, will be producing a full range of high value milk proteins, including MPC 85, MPI 90 and buttermilk powders as well as butter.
- Created 67 new skilled jobs in the City of Winnipeg.
ABOUT
Vitalus Nutrition Inc. is a leading supplier of sophisticated, customized dairy ingredients for the world’s food, beverage and nutraceutical industries. Through our advanced facilities and FSSC 22000 certified processing plant, we process milk and whey into various dairy ingredients that are superior in quality, nutritional value and functionality. Our products including MPC 85, MPI 90 and VITAGOSTM an ingredient rich in galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), are used in applications such as baking, confections, dairy products, snack foods, instant formula, protein drinks, nutrition bars and more.
Gay Lea Foods Co-operative Ltd. is the first North American dairy co-operative to include licensed dairy cow and dairy goat members, processing both kinds of milk into a range of dairy products – from the consumer favourite Spreadables and North America’s first SmoothTM Cottage Cheese, to Nothing But CheeseTM, an innovative snack made with 100% cheese. With members on more than 1,300 dairy farms and more than 4,000 members overall, Gay Lea Foods is as renowned for its co-operative-inspired values as it is as a preferred supplier of award winning dairy products and high quality dairy components.
CONTACTS
MDI Holdings Corp. & Vitalus Nutrition Inc.
Elena Middlemass
Manager of Corporate Services
Abbotsford, British Columbia
(604) 857-4526
emiddlemass@vitalus.com
Gay Lea Foods Co-operative Ltd.
Robin Redstone
Communications Manager
Mississauga, Ontario
(905) 399-0403
rredstone@gayleafoods.com
