The next time you pick up a warm loaf of bread or stroll into your favourite local bakery for a fresh treat, take a moment to imagine the journey those grains have made to your table.
Progress is being made on the Parrish & Heimbecker, Limited (P&H) expansion at the Port of Hamilton, which will see the addition of two new storage silos and a third flour mill. A recent standout moment in the project was the connection of the newly constructed silos via heavy crane lift, an impressive feat highlighting the scale of the infrastructure underway.
“HOPA is proud to support the expansion of the Parrish & Heimbecker facility, a critical development that further establishes our region as a key player in the global supply chain,” said Larissa Fenn, VP of Corporate Affairs at HOPA Ports. “With enhanced flour milling and storage capabilities, our port is now even better equipped to facilitate the efficient movement of essential grains and food ingredients.”
P&H’s operations at the Port of Hamilton began in 2008 with their grain terminal, though it was 2017 that saw the arrival of the first new flour mill Ontario had seen in 75 years. By 2020, the company’s processing capacity had doubled after the addition of a second mill. And now, with a third mill under construction, P&H continues to meet the rising demand for quality ingredients in the baking and food manufacturing industries.
This milestone comes as Hamilton continues to evolve into a vital hub for the agri-food sector, now a cornerstone of the city’s economy. With more than 120 food ingredient companies based in Hamilton, the sector supports more than 100,000 jobs across the province.
P&H’s newly installed grain silos will be used for handling essential feed ingredients such as soymeal, distillers dried grains, and wheat to service the flour mills. The upgraded storage capacity means improvement for the Port’s ability to handle bulk grain shipments, particularly wheat.
“This investment directly strengthens food security across Ontario and Canada, ensuring we continue to lead in providing high-quality products to both domestic and international markets,” added Fenn.
After arriving at the Port of Hamilton by vessel, shipments of wheat are unloaded and transported to P&H’s milling facility, with their last stop being various bakeries and food producers across Southern Ontario. It brings a true source of Canadian pride, knowing your next loaf of bread was likely made using high-quality wheat from the Prairies.
Learn more about current projects: www.hopaports.ca
