First Choice Beverage Inc. invests $50M in Mississauga, Ont. facility
The company says it will acquire new equipment, including robotics and automation features, to meet growing consumer demand.
August 19, 2024 | By MRO Magazine
First Choice Beverage Inc., a producer of juice and dairy alternative products, is $50 million to increase its manufacturing capacity and create 20 new jobs at its Mississauga, Ont. facility.
With the investment, the company says it will acquire new equipment, including robotics and automation features, to meet growing consumer demand.
In support of this investment, Ontario is providing First Choice Beverage Inc., a subsidiary of Lee Li Holdings, with $5 million in funding through the Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness (AMIC) stream of the Regional Development Program (RDP).
“As health and wellness concerns rise globally, our multimillion-dollar investment in a cutting-edge, high-tech and environmentally sensitive production facility will position Ontario as a global leader in the $200 billion USD non-carbonated beverage market,” said John G. Spiteri, Chief Operations Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Lee Li Holdings. “This market includes juices, iced teas, sports drinks, water, dairy, dairy alternatives and much more. Non-carbonated, thirst-quenching and nutritious beverages are staples in most refrigerators, pantries, and shelves across the country, with many familiar brands that Ontarians enjoy every day. This includes dairy produced right here in Ontario, which will also be exported throughout the Midwest and the entire Eastern Seaboard of the USA.”
Ontario is investing $170 million through its RDP to help manufacturers across the province grow while supporting distinct regional priorities. To date, Ontario has supported more than 120 projects through the program, leveraging more than $1.8 billion in new investments and helping to create over 3,300 jobs.