Nestlé Canada has announced that it will spend more than $41 million to expand its ice cream plant on Wilton Grove Road in London.

The investment will allow the company to increase production among several of its brands, including Hӓagen-Dazs, Real Dairy and Drumstick, all of which have seen increased growth in recent years.

“We are honoured to be part of the London community for over 50 years and thrilled to make this significant investment which is truly a testament to our support for our people,” said Jayne Payette, president, ice cream at Nestlé Canada. “This investment allows us to bring even more exciting and innovative products to market and continue to meet consumer demand.”

The project will create two new production lines to generate more capacity for future growth, resulting in incremental ingredient, packaging and raw material supplier purchases. The project builds on a $50-million investment the company made in the plant in 2018. It expects to break ground on this latest expansion in September, with work scheduled for completion by 2023.

The investment will create 88 new jobs at the factory.

“This is incredible news for the London region,” said Jeff Yurek, MPP for Elgin-Middlesex-London. “Nestlé is a strong member of London’s business community and I am proud to have their local leadership both as an employer and in environmental sustainability initiatives.”

Expansion on the London facility began in early 2016 with reconfiguration and consolidation of production lines to increase its capacity and flexibility. This new investment will see an increase to the factory’s current footprint by over 26,600 square feet which will create additional buildings, increased refrigeration capacity and other services to support the new capacity.

Nestlé says it will celebrate the expansion by donating more than 5,000 ice cream products and coupons to local first responders and healthcare frontline workers, and making a cash donation to the London Food Bank.

Featured image: The Nestlé ice cream plant in London. (Nestlé Canada)