Lee Li Holdings Announces Plans To Invest $533M In Beverage Mfg.

MISSISSAUGA — Invest Ontario announced that it will be supporting an anticipated expansion of over $533 million in the beverage manufacturing sector that will reportedly create new jobs in Mississauga, Ontario.

This over half-billion-dollar investment by First Choice Beverage Inc., Global Beverage and Logistics Centre Inc., and Imperial Chilled Juice Inc. — subsidiaries of Lee Li Holdings — will reportedly deliver turnkey co-manufacturing and warehousing solutions for multinational brands and local retailers, strengthening the province’s beverage manufacturing sector.

In a press release, Invest Ontario stated that “by growing high-tech manufacturing capacity in Mississauga, the expansion will bring more in-demand beverages made, filled and packaged in Ontario faster to consumers across Canada and North America.”

“As consumers choose health-forward beverages and wellness concerns increase globally, our over half-billion-dollar investment in advanced manufacturing will ensure this great province is a global manufacturing and technology leader in the over US$200 billion non-carbonated beverage market, which includes juices, iced teas, sports drinks, water and much more. This new, cutting-edge, high-tech, environmentally sensitive production facility, with a multimillion-dollar investment in advanced manufacturing technology, will catapult Ontario into a leader in the rising global consumer market for low-sugar soft drinks. We are further accelerating consumer choice and global market growth with our Ready-to-Drink beverages, which can replace solid food,” said John G. Spiteri, Executive VP & CAO, First Choice Beverage Inc.

Invest Ontario also stated that the project will reportedly expand an existing plant and build a new facility in Mississauga, totalling over 100,000 square feet of new manufacturing capacity with technology and equipment. This includes integration of AI-enabled production, automated warehousing and sustainable manufacturing practices that will reportedly “reduce energy use, wastewater and plastic waste by more than 30%.”

The new facility will reportedly focus on plastic bottle manufacturing for products including tea, coffee, sparkling water and flavoured water. It would also introduce a white-label line that produces and bottles beverages for store-brand customers using locally sourced ingredients.

Subject to reaching a definitive agreement, the investment will reportedly be supported with a loan of up to $90 million through the Invest Ontario Fund.

“This investment will be a remarkable win for Ontario as Lee Li deepens its commitment to the province after four decades of continued growth. We’re excited about the next chapter of a homegrown success story that will bring new opportunities to the community in Mississauga and drive manufacturing innovation in the province,” said Khawar Nasim, CEO of Invest Ontario.