Funding Success: ERP Implementation Saves Food Processor $775K
An independent meat processor based in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) turned to Growing Forward 2 to help with a systems implementation project. This processor of proteins (beef, chicken and soy) had recently installed a new ERP system and required additional specialized hardware and software in order to fully integrate the system with their state-of-the-art processing equipment.
Small Business Grants Ontario Support the Company’s Assessment:
Growing Forward 2’s Capacity Building stream helped fund 50% of a third party audit and assessment that was undertaken in order to determine what additional systems were needed to complete the integration and maximize project impacts. Funding provided for third party assessments totaled ~$9,000 and positioned them to benefit from significantly more grant funding through the Project Implementation stream.
Growing Forward 2 Funding for the Project Implementation:
Not only are there Ontario small business grants available to fund the initial assessment, but also the processor and vendor were subsidized for the initial implementation of the ERP system as well as the upgrades to fully integrate via the GF2 Project Implementation Stream. These costs included consulting fees, hardware and software costs. The processor is positioned to receive 35% funding on the full implementation of the ERP and integrated system, totaling over $183,000 grant support.
Results of the Food Processor’s Access of Small Business Grants Ontario:
Through the help of small business grants Ontario this meat processor will be able to automate and increase integration of a number of business processes through updating and enhancing their current system, including a document management system (DMS), a manufacturing resource planning (MRP) system, and automated sales order processing system. These new systems will provide industry best practice Business Intelligence (BI) reporting, a fully capable HACCP/QA model, improved inventory management processes, better vendor performance measurements, data archiving, and streamlined R&D functionality with document steering.
Growing Forward 2 Ontario Small Business Grants: The Bottom Line
This project will yield a total savings of $775,000 annually due to increased labour efficiency, inventory management and operational improvements. The project also supports the development of 3 new highly skilled positions including a Business Analyst, Inventory Coordinator and Planning Coordinator that were subsidized through Ontario small business grants for hiring. To discover hiring incentives for your upcoming recruitment efforts, please feel free to use our free Wage Subsidy Identifier Tool.
 Access Ontario Small Business Grants for Food Processors
Ontario government grants and loans abound for food processors operating in Ontario, and across Canada. If you are an established small business with more than 15 employees, have been incorporated for a minimum of three years we invite you to learn more through attending a Free Webinar on Canadian government funding opportunities for agriculture and agri-food businesses. Sign up today as space is limited!
