33,000 square foot facility expands Canadian company’s capacity to produce natural plant-based medicines and will bring more jobs to Ottawa Valley region.
Building on 33 years of success as a leading provider of plant-based medicine in Canada, St. Francis Herb Farm (StFrancisHerbFarm.com) recently shared an update on Project Next Generation, their expansion plan for a new 33,000 square foot facility in the Ottawa Valley.
With an expected completion date for Fall 2021, the new building will unite St. Francis Herb Farm operations for production, distribution and warehousing under one roof, allow it to expand its manufacturing capabilities and will bring at least 12 new roles to the existing team of 50+ staff. The added capacity will help ensure business vitality for St. Francis Herb Farm by maximizing product supply and innovation, all the more important given the growing demand for natural wellness products, and especially evident as Canadians seek to proactively manage their health during the ongoing pandemic and allergy seasons.
“This is such an exciting and timely advancement for the company my parents started in 1988. We are immensely proud that this new facility will further enable our amazing team at St. Francis Herb Farm to help Canadians lead healthier lives with quality plant medicine, which is so important these days,” shared Paul Rivett-Carnac, President, CEO and Co-owner of St. Francis Herb Farm.
Phase Two of the St. Francis Herb Farm site build is now well underway, with the foundation completed and the external structure being erected, with an expected completion date, site occupation and grand opening in the fall of 2021, leading up to the company’s 35th anniversary in 2023.
Close Collaboration Helps Ensure Success
The St. Francis Herb Farm team is working in close collaboration with community stakeholders, neighbours and construction partners from Maple Reinders Constructors Ltd. and Zuracon Inc. Farm Credit Canada is financing the project, as the team works closely with SPH Engineering Inc. who assisted with design along with the Township of Madawaska Valley and the County of Renfrew.
“The township, consultants, engineers, public agencies, construction partners and the St. Francis Herb Farm team members have been working hand in hand to meet aggressive timelines with a diverse set of challenges during this unique time for manufacturing in Canada,” added Rivett-Carnac.
Prior to the start of construction, the members of the St. Francis Herb Farm family conducted community outreach efforts, with near-in neighbours with door to door visits to provide updates about plans and to offer thanks for ongoing support during the construction process.
To mark the new site build occasion, in the Fall of 2020, the company held an employee event (socially distanced and following all safety protocols) to kick off this exciting time for St. Francis Herb Farm. The special day included a ceremonial sod turning event and dedication of a time capsule filled with historical mementos from the company’s years of history and community involvement.
A pioneer in the Canadian natural health space, St. Francis Herb Farm fully manufactures its brand of over 100+ herbal health products. Their wholistic herb approach, featuring the use of organic herbs, craftmanship and science, have driven its reputation of high quality. St. Francis Herb Farm specializes in herbal extraction and its product lineup features popular offerings such as Deep Immune, Strest, and Canadian Bitters. Other product ranges include tinctures, herbal capsules, creams, salves and herbal oils.
St. Francis Herb Farm products are available in health and wellness stores and on-line, at select drug and grocery stores across Canada as well as through Amazon and the St. Francis Herb Farm site.
