UPDATE: Dr. Oetker coming to London, Ontario

London, Ont. – Today at a press conference held in London, Ont., Dr. Oetker Canada confirmed that it is building a new frozen pizza production facility in the city.

The facility will act as a hub for the company’s North American pizza operations, and will produce approximately 50 million frozen pizzas per year. The plant will also bring more than 125 jobs to London, and create an expected 300 additional jobs for the area.

* Food in Canada reported on the story earlier this month when the city of London and Dr. Oetker were still in negotiations. To see that story for more background, read on:

A large food processing company could be setting up a plant in the city, reports say.

A London Free Press article says a proposed Dr. Oetker factory in the city’s southeast could create up to 500 jobs. The factory would produce the company’s frozen pizzas.

Back in May, reports the London Free Press, a city hall committee approved two zoning exceptions that were among conditions on a deal to buy 66 acres of land.

The zoning exceptions include allowing the building to be built to a height of 45 metres, which is three times what’s normally accepted, and allowing a setback of 12 metres rather than 20 metres.

While the offer is still conditional, the plant represents a huge opportunity for a city that’s been hit hard by the recession. Reports say the London area has lost 6,400 jobs in the past year.

The plant also represents a boon to area farmers, especially those who produce eggs, milk, tomatoes and other produce.