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Bimbo Canada, a subsidiary of Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV, has announced plans to close its bakery in Levis, Quebec, during the first week of July. The plant produces various types of bread, including white pan bread, whole wheat bread, cracked wheat bread, and multigrain bread. The company intends to transfer production to other baking facilities in the region.
The decision to close the Levis bakery stems from Bimbo's efforts to enhance operational efficiency, increase capacity utilization, and reduce overall costs. Marie-Ève Royer, president of Bimbo Canada, emphasized the company's commitment to building a sustainable business to achieve long-term objectives. Despite investing over $500 million in Canada since 2014, with $160 million allocated to Quebec, declining site utilization and production necessitated the closure. Royer acknowledged the difficulty of the decision and pledged to support affected employees in finding employment opportunities at other Bimbo Canada facilities.
Approximately 95 employees will be impacted by the closure of the Levis bakery. Bimbo Canada, headquartered in Etobicoke, Ontario, operates 16 baking plants, 11 distribution centers, and 183 depots across Canada.
In summary, Bimbo Canada's decision to close its Levis bakery reflects its strategic focus on operational efficiency and cost reduction, despite significant past investments in Canada. The closure will affect nearly 100 employees, with efforts underway to assist them in finding alternative employment within the company's network of facilities.
