NORFOLK COUNTY, Ontario – Scotts Canada and the municipality of Norfolk County this week announced plans to locate the company's first Canadian manufacturing facility in Delhi, Ontario. The investment, worth $6.5 million (CAN), will retrofit an existing structure to automate production of garden soil, potting mix, mulch and other value-added garden goods, including the Miracle-Gro- and Scotts-branded portfolio of products. The facility will feature state-of-the-art air quality, emissions control and robotics equipment.
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"Norfolk County is delighted to welcome Scotts Canada to our community," said Mayor Rita Kalmbach. "Scotts has a reputation for producing top quality lawn and garden products, and for being a fine employer. We are very pleased that they have chosen to locate their first Canadian production facility here in Delhi."
Scheduled to begin production by the end of the year, the Scotts Canada growing media facility will employ an estimated 15 to 20 full-time people and will recycle a wide range of natural materials from both the municipal and rural waste streams. The Scotts North American growing media system reuses approximately 6 billion pounds of raw materials annually. Recycled agricultural waste that is recycled includes manure, rice hulls, soybean meal, coffee and tea waste and other vegetable matter. Forestry byproducts, such as bark and wood fiber, residential yard compost and wood ash are also valuable. These are combined and formulated with other natural materials to make soil products that outperform ordinary growing media. The company has tested more than 700 unique materials in North America for their growing media potential as part of its ongoing commitment to research and development.
Realtor Chris Forage of Binswanger Forage Real Estate Services has been working with Norfolk County staff to find a suitable buyer. "The purchase of this property by Scotts Canada is great news for Norfolk County and a boost for the Delhi economy," added Mayor Kalmbach.
"Scotts Canada is excited to be embarking on this important expansion in the North American market," says Barry Maynard, vice president and general manager. "The incorporation of the Delhi facility into Scotts' existing manufacturing and distribution network will enhance our ability to efficiently and effectively deliver the finest growing media for all of our customers. From the location near major transportation routes in southwestern Ontario, to the quality of the workforce and the community, we knew right away Norfolk County was the right location for us."
Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Scotts Canada is Canada's leading supplier and marketer of consumer lawn and garden products. Scotts Canada is a subsidiary of 137-year-old The Scotts Co., based in Marysville, Ohio.