Canada Bread facility in North Bay, Ontario
Canada Bread plans to close its bakery in North Bay, Ont., on Aug. 5.

TORONTO — Canada Bread Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Grupo Bimbo S.A.B. de C.V., said it will close its bakery in North Bay, Ont., on Aug. 5. The 30,000-square-foot bakery in North Bay employs approximately 62 associates and bakes buns, rolls and sliced bread. Production is expected to be transferred to the company’s other bakeries in Ontario and Quebec where there is available capacity with improved speed and efficiency.

“Our industry is under mounting competitive pressure to become more efficient, and this means we have to make very difficult decisions,” said Jennifer Park, vice-president of operations, Canada Bread. “While this is the business reality, it is hard to make the necessary changes, particularly in a community where we have such a strong presence.  We are doing everything possible to ease the impact on our people.”

Canada Bread operates 19 bakeries and employs approximately 4,500 associates across Canada. The company distributes its products under such brands as Dempster’s, Villaggio, POM, Bon Matin, Ben’s, Healthy Way, McGavins and Vachon through a network of more than 1,200 routes operated by more than 1,150 independent operators and some corporate associates.