After landscaping and pouring of the foundations were completed, the steel structures that form the framework of the building emerged this week.

The ironworkers are already busy with these structures, raising the columns with a crane.

This major part of the construction should be completed within six weeks, for the beginning of spring. Meanwhile, a team is busy purchasing production equipment, with delivery expected in early July. As expected, the plant should start operations in November.

Sunnymel is also continuing its collaboration with Enterprise Madawaska in the manpower recruiting process, which began last December and is designed to meet the needs of the future plant. Over 150 applications have been submitted to date.

The recruitment campaign will intensify in April, when a team of recruiters will be on site and additional information will be made available.

Sunnymel is a business partnership formed by the producer Westco and the processor Olymel l.p.

Construction of the new plant represents an investment of over C$40 million and will create close to 250 permanent jobs.

With a weekly slaughtering capacity of 450,000 chickens, the future plant will represent a major outlet for poultry producers in New Brunswick.

Completion of this project is expected to strengthen the poultry industry in the province and contribute significantly to economic development in the Upper Madawaska region.