A Lachute landmark is closing.
On Friday, October 4, Agropur Cooperative announced it is shutting down its ice cream and frozen novelties plant in the town in August 2020, affecting 177 jobs.
According to a news release, Longueuil Québec-based Agropur is closing the plant as part of a plan to “optimize” its ice cream production operations. Agropur purchased the facility in 2017 from Nova Scotia-based Scotsburn, and has decided to consolidate production in Truro, Nova Scotia and in Edmonton, Alberta.
Agropur claims the closure is necessary due to the competitive market. Employees in Lachute will be offered employment opportunities at other Agropur facilities, severance packages, and an employee/family assistance plan.
The Lachute plant has a long history in the community and Argenteuil region. It was originally Lowe Brothers dairy and then Lebel Foods.
Stéphane Lauzon, the incumbent Member of Parliament for Argenteuil-La Petite Nation and Liberal candidate in the current federal election campaign, released a statement late Friday afternoon and said he is following the situation closely and will work with other levels of government to save the plant, depending on the result of the October 21 election.
The Agropur plant in Lachute is located on Rue Principale at the east end of town.
