Announcement of a Partnership with Groupe KO and a $30M Investment for Station agro-biotech
After more than two and a half years of work, Station agro-biotech is finally completing an expansion of its plant and the purchase of cutting-edge equipment. The total investment of the project amounts to over $30 million, enabling the launch of new innovative products in collaboration with Groupe KO.
Faced with the current economic uncertainty, mainly in the agri-food sector, Station agro-biotech is focusing on one of its core values, innovation, as the key to standing out in its field. The goal is simple: to diversify revenues through co-packing while maintaining in-house all the equipment necessary to realize the innovative ideas of the team.
“With this expansion, the goal was to become a major player in food production in the country while enabling my team to create unique and innovative new products. We have our finger on the pulse, and it is this equipment that will propel us, but above all, allow us to keep up with the strength and ambition of Groupe KO.” – Jonathan Robin, President, Station agro-biotech
Thanks to its financial partners, the Station agro-biotech can now become an essential player for the major industry players.
Financial partners
Investissement Québec
Desjardins entreprise
Farm Credit Canada
Business Development Bank of Canada
Canada Economic Development
Equipment Matching the Ambitions of Station agro-biotech
Among the now operational equipment at Station agro-biotech are a new fully automated canning and bottling line, a mixed case chamber, and most notably, a continuous can autoclave for sterilization, unique in Canada.
This technology, difficult to obtain due to its cost and delivery times, places Station agro-biotech at the forefront of current food trends, such as protein, milk, and coffee-based products. In the coming years, a strong wave is emerging towards products requiring sterilization, an area in which the Station agro-biotech now positions itself thanks to its new continuous can autoclave.
It is also thanks to this continuous can autoclave and President Jonathan Robin’s constant desire to innovate and offer unique products on the market that Groupe KO wanted to form a business partnership. A first milk-based canned coffee project is already in production, a sign of rigorous and effective collaboration between the two organizations.
“Jonathan dared to invest in expensive and unique equipment, which speaks volumes about his ambitions and business vision. It is with people like him that we like to work at Groupe KO. Passionate people who are ready to surpass themselves to realize their ideas. I am extremely eager to finally be able to consume a high-quality latte canned in Quebec.” – Louis Morissette, President, Groupe KO
Details of this new project will be announced in the coming months.
Production Capable of Competing with the Industry’s Major Players
In addition to equipment enabling an annual production capacity of 72 million cans and 15 million bottles, Station agro-biotech has other advantageous assets:
-Necessary permits for the production of beer, alcohol, and wine
-Ecocert Canada level 1 certification for sustainable development since March 2020
-Newly certified GFSI/SQF standard plant
It is the accumulation of all these advantages that now positions Station agrobiotech as a major and reliable player in the industry. The high entry barriers in this field justify the low number of competitors, making the investment choice even more crucial and strategic. The company is thus preparing to meet the current and future challenges of the agri-food industry, ensuring a position as an innovative leader in Canada.