Ingersoll, Ontario, September 19, 2023 – Dot Foods Canada, a subsidiary of the American food redistributor Dot Foods, celebrated the grand opening of its state-of-the-art $50 million facility, solidifying its position as North America’s largest food redistributor. The 168,875 square-foot plant, located at 100 Ken McKee Street near Highway 401, officially opened its doors, marking a significant milestone for the company. With an initial workforce of 70 employees, Dot Foods Canada has ambitious plans to expand, with expectations of increasing its staff to 200 within the next three to five years.
Dot Foods CEO Dick Tracy emphasized the company’s commitment to the Canadian market, stating, “There is a lot of opportunity for our distribution model in Canada. We built this facility because we’ve seen incredible growth in our Canadian business in the seven years since we established operations here. We need more physical space and a larger team to keep up with the demand.”
Construction of the Ingersoll plant commenced in September of the previous year, concluding in the spring. The warehouse received its first shipments of dry products in May, followed by the stocking of refrigerated and frozen products in June. Additionally, an expansion of the freezer section, initiated shortly after ground was broken on the facility, is nearing completion.
To support Dot Foods’ transportation division, plans are underway to add on-site garage facilities and a gate station at the Ingersoll location over the next two to three years. Moreover, the facility’s design allows for flexible expansion of up to an additional 350,000 square feet should the need arise due to growing customer demand in Canada.
This new plant replaces the company’s previously leased facility in Brampton. Employees from the Brampton location were given the option to relocate to the Ingersoll facility, ensuring a smooth transition.
As part of the official opening celebration, Dot Foods announced a philanthropic commitment of $50,000 to support six local non-profit organizations. Among the recipients are the United Way of Oxford County and the Alzheimer’s Society in London, each receiving $10,000. Additionally, The Salvation Army in London and Ingersoll, the Fusion Centre in Ingersoll, and Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Oxford County will receive $7,500 each.
The chosen organizations align closely with Dot Foods’ charitable priorities, which encompass combatting hunger, addressing food insecurity, and assisting those affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Notably, this donation follows a similar $50,000 contribution made by Dot Foods to area charities during the previous fall.
Dot Foods Canada’s investment in the Ingersoll community reflects the company’s long-term commitment to growth and community engagement in the region, while also bolstering its position as a key player in North America’s food redistribution landscape.