Sun-Rype eliminates 80 jobs at Kelowna facility

Lassonde is cutting positions and moving some operations at its Kelowna, BC., facility where SunRype beverages are processed to its plants in Calgary, Alta., Toronto, and Rougemont, Que.

The transition is largely in beverage packaging operations and will occur in phases through December 2026. Approx. 80 employees will be impacted.

The facility will continue to process apples and produce snack products. In a statement, Lassonde said 135 employees will remain at the site working on production, warehousing and business support functions.

The news has met with disappointment.

“This is not just a SunRype issue – this is about BC’s competitiveness. Our processors compete every single day – with other provinces and businesses around the world. When other provinces actively court food businesses through favourable incentives, policies, funding and less regulatory burden, we cannot be surprised when production follows,” James Donaldson, CEO, BC Food & Beverage, commented on LinkedIn.