Puratos Canada has officially unveiled its newest innovation center in Montreal, a significant addition to its existing facilities in Mississauga, Ontario, and Chilliwack, British Columbia. This state-of-the-art 3,500-square-foot hub is designed to enhance the company's ability to cater to the diverse needs of Canadian businesses, with a particular focus on the unique demands of the Quebec market. The center embodies Puratos's dedication to collaborative innovation, providing a space where culinary creativity and technical expertise converge to develop cutting-edge bakery, patisserie, and chocolate solutions.
The Montreal center stands as a testament to Puratos's strategy of fostering direct engagement with its clientele. Michael Simone, President of Puratos Canada, emphasized that the facility is more than just a research and development space; it's a dynamic environment for interaction. Here, customers can actively participate in workshops, collaborate with Puratos experts, and co-create novel products. This hands-on approach ensures that every solution is meticulously tailored to meet specific customer requirements and market expectations, reinforcing Puratos's role as a trusted partner in the food industry.
Distinguishing itself from other Canadian centers, the Montreal facility boasts specialized capabilities for chocolate preparation. It features a refrigerated marble table and a full-size laminator, enabling advanced chocolate artistry and product development. Additionally, the center is equipped with two independent proofers for simultaneous retarding and proofing, optimizing efficiency in baking processes. A 140-quart Hobart mixer is also slated for installation, further expanding the facility's capacity for large-batch testing and formulation. Beyond its technical prowess, the center is committed to providing bilingual services, supporting recipe development, offering insights into emerging trends through its Taste Tomorrow program, and assisting local food businesses in achieving scalable growth.
The innovation center is already actively serving local clients, demonstrating its immediate impact on the regional culinary scene. A grand opening event held on August 20 welcomed local media, government officials, and key members of the Puratos team. The ceremony was graced by the presence of Martin Barnett, executive director of the Baking Association of Canada, underscoring the center's importance to the broader baking community. This new Montreal hub is poised to become a vital resource for culinary professionals, driving innovation and excellence in the Canadian baking, patisserie, and chocolate sectors.