The Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA Ports) is celebrating the expansion of the P&H Milling Group and Parrish & Heimbecker Limited (P&H) facility at the Port of Hamilton. The expansion, announced on Tuesday, will increase the port’s grain storage and flour production capacity and support Ontario’s growing food processing sector.
P&H says it’s investing in the future of Canadian agriculture and the baking industry by adding two new storage silos to handle essential feed ingredients, such as soy meal, distillers’ dried grains, and wheat for milling. A new flour mill, the third at this location, will also be built, with construction set to begin this spring.
John Heimbecker, P&H CEO, said the expansion reflects the company’s commitment to serving Canadian farmers and business partners. “We are not just expanding our infrastructure; we are investing in the future of Canadian agriculture and the baking industry. This strategic move reaffirms our dedication to meeting the needs of our valued agricultural and business partners,” he said.
The expansion will also enhance the partnership between P&H and HOPA Ports, which dates back to 2009.
HOPA’s President and CEO, Ian Hamilton, praised P&H’s growth and success at the Port of Hamilton. “This expansion marks a significant milestone in the 15-year partnership between P&H and HOPA Ports. We applaud P&H’s growth at the Port of Hamilton and their success in increasing grain exports and value-added food processing. We are committed to investing in the best transportation and supply chain infrastructure to enable companies to invest and grow. Together, we are supporting farmers and food manufacturers across Ontario,” he said.
The expansion will also benefit the local economy and the environment. Hamilton is home to a growing food processing sector, with more than 120 food ingredient companies in the city. The sector is connected to 105,000 jobs and $48 billion in economic activity in the province of Ontario. By increasing the grain storage and flour production at the port, P&H says it will reduce truck traffic and greenhouse gas emissions and improve the efficiency and sustainability of the food supply chain.
“We are absolutely thrilled to see P&H continue its success with plans to build its third flour mill, along with additional storage capacity,” said Norm Schleehahn, Director of Economic Development at the City of Hamilton. “With this expansion, Hamilton continues to demonstrate why food ingredient companies like P&H choose to invest and expand right here. P&H and HOPA Ports are strategic assets of the City’s agri-food and food & beverage processing sector, and we look forward to working with both of them on this significant expansion.”
Hamilton’s growing food processing sector, which includes more than 120 food ingredients companies, contributes to Ontario’s economy by supporting 105,000 jobs and $48 billion in economic activity.
As an integrated port network, HOPA Ports offers port and marine assets in Hamilton, Oshawa, and Niagara. HOPA’s mandate is to help build prosperous working waterfronts in Ontario communities by investing in high-quality infrastructure and prioritizing sustainability. Overseeing more than 1,400 acres and 160 tenant companies, 40,000 Ontario jobs are connected to the cargo that passes through HOPA’s integrated ports.
(Photo credit: DrakeTech Inc/P&H Milling)