Champion Petfoods’ new state-of-the-art NorthStar® Kitchens is the pet food company’s latest (under construction) facility in Acheson Industrial Park. It will be designed and built under a partnership between Gray Construction Canada Company and Keller Construction Ltd.
Keller Construction Ltd. launched in Calgary, Alberta in 1962. An Edmonton office followed in 1967, and by 1968, all operations were moved to the Capital City to provide a central office for all of Keller’s Western Canadian operations. An office was re-established in Calgary in 1996 to accommodate the growing demands of the Southern Alberta market.
“To be associated with such a great building partner in Gray Construction Canada Company is very exciting for me and for our entire team at Keller. We are a better company because of this association,” said John Cameron, president and CEO of Keller. “From day one it was clear that our companies’ values aligned, most importantly, on safety.”
Gray Construction Canada Company is part of Gray Construction. For nearly 60 years, Gray has provided engineering, architecture and construction services for the manufacturing, food and beverage facility design, and construction sectors.
“Keller’s president and CEO said it well when he pointed out how both our companies align in values with Champion, and together, we have a strong team dedicated toward a successful project,” said Stephen Gray, president and CEO of Gray Construction Canada.
Champion Petfoods is an independent Canadian pet food maker that has been dedicated to innovation and leadership in the pet food market for more than three decades. According to Champion, its brands follow the natural evolutionary diets of felines and canines; Champion believes these pets should be “nourished according to their evolutionary adaptation and thrive on diets that contain fresh and diverse meat ingredients.” As such, the ingredients for the “ACANA and ORIJEN diets are packed with high-quality animal protein, a nutritionally balanced fatty acid profile, minimal (and low-glycemic) carbohydrates, and naturally sourced vitamins and minerals that will nourish your dog and cat just as nature intended.” The pet foods are prepared in the company’s own high-tech kitchens.
The new 400,000 square foot NorthStar Kitchens facility is expected to open in 2019, and it will continue to advance Champion Petfoods’ global commitment to its Biologically Appropriate™ and award-winning pet foods. The facility will also serve as an export hub, distribution centre and logistics facility for Champion as it continues to provide its ACANA and ORIJEN brands to more than 80 countries.
Champion Petfoods is proud of its commitment to building strong communities, and as such, the company will continue to build local partnerships. More than 95 per cent of the construction workforce for the Acheson facility will be from Alberta. Upon completion, and when at full capacity, the Kitchens are expected to create about 200 local jobs.
To learn more about Champion Petfoods, Keller Construction Ltd. and Gray Construction Canada Company, visit: www.championpetfoods.com, keller.ab.ca and www.gray.com.
