Olymel invests $142M to expand Trois-Rivières plant

Pork and poultry producer Olymel is investing $142 million to expand its La Fernandière plant in Trois-Rivières, Québec. The plant will be operational in spring 2026.

The plant, which currently manufactures sausages, will expand production to include a wider range of pork and poultry products. It will be converted into an integrated facility capable of processing and packaging on-site, reducing raw material transportation and increasing productivity.

“We’re very proud to announce this major expansion of our Trois-Rivières plant. It’s a big step forward for Olymel. Having this … plant will create new possibilities for expansion and significantly improve our efficiency, which is central to our company’s performance,” said Yanick Gervais, CEO of Olymel.

The expansion will include the implementation of artificial intelligence systems, autonomous vehicles, and fully automated slicing, packaging, and palletizing operations. The facility will also feature advanced packaging technology and serve as an innovation hub for new AI solutions.

Sustainability measures include heat recovery systems, closed-circuit water management, net-zero water-based cooking, on-site water treatment, and industrial batteries to reduce energy consumption. Ergonomic equipment is expected to improve worker comfort and safety.

The project will create about 50 new jobs, increasing the total workforce to 400.

As part of the operational overhaul, Olymel will permanently close its facilities in Anjou (140 employees) and Cap-de-la-Madeleine (150 employees) in spring 2026. However, employees will be offered positions at other Olymel locations.