Ontario Food Cluster and the IFPT

Stretching from Toronto to Buffalo, NY, the so-called “Ontario Food Cluster” is a thriving agglomeration of some 3,200 food and beverage companies. Together they comprise Canada’s largest pool of agri-food talent, and the 2^nd largest in North America. With an innovative research climate and easy access to the global market, the Ontario Food Cluster has drawn some of the biggest names in the food industry. These companies have an estimated annual manufacturing revenue of $34 billion and employ 130,000 people directly in agri-food processing/manufacturing and wholesaling, along with another 483,000 workers in related sectors.

It is kind of hard to imagine the Ontario Food Cluster getting any more, but it just did. Recently the Cluster’s economic development executives attended the influential SIAL Brazil 2012 show to promote the new Conestoga College Institute of Food Processing Technology (IFPT). This innovative school was created in 2009 in partnership with the Alliance of Ontario Food Processors (AOFP) to allow for the development of a highly skilled workforce by providing education and training programs that meet the needs of the food and beverage industry. IFPT focuses on areas like food safety, food processing techniques, electronic instrumentation techniques, automation, robotics, packaging, and plant supervision. It is the perfect environment in which to learn the ins and outs of almost every aspect of the food and beverage manufacturing field. 

At Furnace Belt we find it especially good news that another generation is getting trained properly and effectively in the food processing and safety industry. Our belts are widely used throughout the companies in the “Food Cluster” and nothing is better than working hand in hand with fellow experts. If you want to learn more about IFPT you can visit their website