Lagimodiere Plant in Winnipeg, Manitoba Resumes Operations

TSX: MFI
www.mapleleaffoods.com

TORONTO, Aug. 13, 2012 /CNW/ - On Friday, August 10 at approximately 10:45 a.m., a fire was detected in the packaging area at the Maple Leaf Foods facility on Lagimodiere Road, Winnipeg.  Employees evacuated the building immediately and there were no injuries.  The fire was contained within one hour.  Fire officials believe that the fire started on the roof when hot roofing materials ignited.  Insurance adjustors are determining damages, which were largely contained to the electrical system; however preliminary estimates are significantly less than those cited in media reports.

The Lagimodiere facility produces cooked hams, back bacon, fresh sausages and value-added ham products. Some areas of the facility, including ham boning operations, have resumed production on their normal schedules. Other areas of the plant will require temporary repairs and it is expected to take a minimum of a week to resume production. The fire did not damage the expansion and work underway to expand bacon processing at the facility will continue.

Maple Leaf Foods Inc. is a leading food company, headquartered in Toronto, Canada. The Company employs approximately 19,500 people at its operations across Canada and in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Asia. The Company had sales of $4.9 billion in 2011.

SOURCE: Maple Leaf Foods Inc.

Media Contact 
Dave Bauer
[phone]