Peak of the Market expands operations

Winnipeg, Man. – Peak of the Market is expanding its operations to include a $4-million processing system.

As well as renovating its entire Winnipeg facility, Peak of the Market is adding new equipment including: 12-ft. high robots with custom-designed robotic hands capable of filling retail bins; a custom-made telescopic, retractable unloading system; a customized automatic rope wrapping pallet system; metal detectors for all packed products; and an automated pallet placement system.

The new processing system will ensure that consumers continue to receive Manitoba-grown vegetables efficiently and with higher quality. The system is expected to boost productivity by 30 per cent, reduce vegetable bruising and damage, and create a better environment for staff.

The company received a $336,000 investment from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through Growing Forward 2 towards the project.

Peak of the Market is a grower-owned supplier of more than 120 varieties of vegetables grown in Manitoba. The company contributes roughly $80 million to the provincial economy annually.

“Thanks to the Growing Forward 2 funding, our new potato and onion packaging equipment has several very innovative features that are firsts in the world,” says Larry McIntosh, president and CEO of Peak of the Market. “With this strategic investment, Peak of the Market has one of the premier packing facilities in North America and that’s something all Manitobans can be proud of.”