By Pam Wright – Sydenham Current
Jessica Timmers believes you’re not going to find harder workers than you can in Wallaceburg.
The local resident was among 500 job seekers who queued up earlier this week to try their luck at the two-day Whyte’s Foods job fair.
“This is great for our community,” a smiling Timmers said as she stood with resume in hand.
She’s hoping to land an administrative position at the new operation.
Timmers said she’s glad to see the investment in the community.
“This town needs more jobs,” Timmers explained.
“It’s good for the community… we have good workers here.”
Her friend Emma King — also in the line — said she appreciates the fact Whyte’s is hiring locally.
“It’s really good because a long drive to work kills you,” King said, adding she thought the big turnout was a good sign.
The busy ‘meet and greet’ job fair was held at the site of the new plant on Baseline Road, the revamped site of a furnace business.
Examples of the company’s products — including relish, kosher pickles and pickled eggs — were on display, alongside company representatives ready to provide information and hold on-the-spot interviews.
Quality Assurance director Leslie Tomlenovich said the company is aiming for an early August startup, provided equipment and machinery from around the world arrives in time.
While hard and fast numbers can’t be guaranteed, Tomlenovich said around 100 fulltime workers will be hired at the plant.
They’ll be processing cucumbers and peppers to make relish and other products.
“There’s a lot of excitement here,” Tomlenovich explained, adding the operation is a boon to local farmers providing easy access to their market.
Marketing and sales vice-president Claude Briere called the Wallaceburg plant an “exciting move for us.
“It’s adding a lot of capacity,” Briere said, adding the company will be employing around 500 people in total once Wallaceburg is up and running.
He said there will be a food service line and a retail supply component at the new operation.
The Laval Quebec based company dates back to 1892 and has been owned by the same family for 43 years.
Product is processed in Laval and Saint-Louis, Quebec, and a distribution centre is located in Sainte Therese.
Whyte’s produces a wide array of pickles, olives, sauces and salad dressings under the labels of Whyte’s, Stubs, Mrs. Whyte’s and Coronation brands.
