The Québec City Plant, a Strategic Asset for Agropur
In processing more than 180 million liters of milk annually, the Québec City fresh products plant is one of the most important in the Cooperative’s operations. Learn more by reading our plant highlights.
In addition to being the only Agropur plant that is certified organic – of course, it’s where Natrel organic milk which serves all Eastern Canada is processed - the Québec City plant transforms milk into a range of unique products in the Cooperative’s portfolio, such as Natrel coffee creamers and the new Natrel Plus chocolate milk formats in 473 mL size.
The plant also processes Natrel fine-filtered milk, Canada's #1 brand. It was at the Québec City plant that Agropur decided to enter this segment in 1996.
The Plant in Figures
-1948-
This is the year in which the plant was built for its original purpose as a bottling facility. Agropur acquired it through a merger with Purdel to form the Natrel division in 1990 and has been operating it ever since.
-250-
The plant has 250 employees and operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
-250 000-
It is also at the Québec City plant where the first Natrel Plus milks were produced in 2021. The current volumes reach 250,000 liters of milk produced per week, and the demand continues to rise.
What distinguishes the Québec City plant, according to its director, Richard Talbot:
Its ability to integrate new products into existing operations, like recently done with Natrel Plus
The skill and flexibility of its team members, and their spirit of collaboration to support other fresh products plants in the network when required
Operational excellence: the rate of products considered to be of first-pass quality is at 99.6%
What might people be surprised to learn about the Québec City plant?
“Despite our very limited space, due to the fact that the plant is located in an urban area of the Limoilou sector, the Quebec plant also serves as a distribution center for dairy agents from the major centers of Quebec such as Saguenay, Bas-St-Laurent, and Estrie, in addition to orders within the Agropur network.”
-Richard Talbot, Director
Products Prepared at the Québec City Plant – Code 1720:
- Natrel Milk – fine-filtered, organic, lactose-free, Natrel Plus
- The entire Québon range
- Flavored milks, especially chocolate and strawberry
- Natrel coffee creamers
- Cream
- Ice cream mix
- Butter cup
YOUR COOPERATIVE
Milk Quality: Help Always at Hand
Did you know that services are available to all Agropur members to help them ensure the quality of their milk? Here’s a brief overview of four of those services.
