Wonderbrands Ends Bread Production In Ontario, Affecting 50 Workers

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Wonderbrands, portion of nan FGF Brands group, is ending sliced breadstuff accumulation astatine its Ontario installation successful Canada.

The national representing workers astatine nan works successful nan metropolis of Sudbury, said 50 unit are group to suffer their jobs owed to nan decision, mostly part-time employees.

Wonderbrands confirmed via a spokesperson that manufacturing of buns and rolls will proceed astatine nan Sudbury mill erstwhile nan breadstuff statement shuts down, slated for nan 6 October.

“This determination was not made lightly and is driven by a sustained industry-wide displacement successful breadstuff depletion and is aimed astatine ensuring we proceed to run efficiently and put successful areas of growth,” nan spokesperson said successful a connection provided to Just Food.

“We are profoundly grateful to each squad personnel progressive successful breadstuff accumulation for their dedication and professionalism. This alteration is not a reflection of their capacity but of nan realities of a changing marketplace.”

Etobicoke, Ontario-headquartered Wonderbrands, which makes nan bakery brands Wonder, D’Italiano and Country Harvest, did not specify nan number of workers affected.

However, nan institution said: “Our talent and improvement squad is actively engaging pinch squad members and national representatives to talk reassignment opportunities, voluntary status options, and different forms of support.”

The United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) national said via its Local 175 portion that nan astir 50 jobs astatine consequence see each part-time positions and “several” full-time roles.

“This is much than conscionable a nonaccomplishment of jobs. It’s a nonaccomplishment for nan full community,” Kelly Tosato, nan president of UFCW Local 175, said successful a statement.

“Northern Ontario cannot proceed to carnivore nan brunt of firm decisions that put profits up of people.”

FGF Brands successful Toronto acquired Wonderbrands under a woody successful 2021 for portion of nan caller and stiff bakery assets of Weston Foods, owned by nan George Weston company.

The FGF Brands affiliated entities paid C$1.2bn ($869.9m today) for nan assets.

Bread, buns and muffins are produced nether nan Wonder brand, while D’Italiano and Country Harvest make rolls, breadstuff and bagels. Wonderbrands besides owns nan Casa Mendosa and Gadoua lines of tortillas.

All nan products are sold to nan unit and foodservice channels.

In 2023, Wonderbrands sold a brace of baking facilities to Rise Baking, 1 successful Brampton, Ontario, and different successful Kent successful nan US authorities of Washington.

UFCW added: “The Union is actively engaged successful discussions pinch Wonderbrands to assistance affected members to person nan support they need, including modulation programmes, retraining opportunities, and support services.

“While nan existent corporate statement provides severance provisions and early status options, these measures cannot afloat offset nan effect connected workers, their families, and nan section economy.”