Ontario Construction News staff writer
Chapman’s has announced the start of construction on a $200-million facility in Markdale, a project expected to boost production, create jobs and support the company’s expansion into international markets.
The development includes a 175,000-sq. ft. production facility that will increase the company’s production space by 35 per cent. Construction is set to begin in May.
“This investment has allowed us to build a bigger facility and support higher paying jobs for Canadians,” Ashley Chapman, the company’s chief operating officer said in a statement. “This expansion comes at a critical time for Chapman’s. The competition from multinationals has only increased in recent years and this project will help us to establish a stronger competitive ground.”
The new facility will add multiple production lines and expand Chapman’s provincial workforce to more than 1,000 employees. The company is already the largest employer in the Grey County community.
Invest Ontario is supporting the project with a loan of up to $27 million.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Chapman’s latest investment in Ontario, which is a major vote of confidence in our province’s economy and workers,” said Premier Doug Ford. “We’re going to continue doing whatever it takes to protect workers by cutting red tape and making Ontario the most competitive place in the G7 to invest and create jobs.”
The expansion puts Chapman’s on track to become the largest single-site ice cream company in North America.
“Our expansion comes at a critical time for all Canadians with the Trump administration using tariffs as a weapon of intimidation, not to mention the threats to our very sovereignty, we need to prioritize Canadian,” Chapman said.
It is the largest construction project in Chapman’s history.
“So, what lies ahead? In the short-term, we will continue our efforts to decouple our supply chain from the United States, support Canadian companies at every opportunity, and release new and exciting products for our customers,” Chapman said.