Canadian food manufacturer receives funding for ERP project

An Edmonton, Alta.-based food manufacturer has received a $100,000 federal grant to help pay for the adoption of digital technologies to maximize productivity.

Inovata Foods Corporation, a privately held manufacturer of frozen meals, received the grant via the Digital Technology Adoption Pilot Program (DTTAP), delivered by the National Research Council of Canada – Industrial Research Assistance Program.

“Our corporate philosophy is to continually reinvest in our facilities and equipment, increase automation and improve consistency and quality of our food products,” said Jason Yohemas, CFO, Inovata Foods.

The DTTAP grant is covering a large percentage of the costs of labour in Inovata Foods’ search for ERP software, as well as much of the cost of services required for the ERP implementation project.

“We found the DTAPP application process to be relatively easy. We didn’t need an outside consultant to apply for the funding,” said Yohemas, adding that it took six weeks to find out that they were approved for the grant to help fund their ERP project.

Inovata Foods selected JustFoodERP as its software and services partner. The ERP project is starting with 22 users at the 45,000-sq.-ft. Inovata Foods plant in Edmonton and at the 90,000-sq.-ft. Otter Valley Foods private label food manufacturing facility in Tillsonburg, Ont.

“JustFoodERP is a great fit for our continuous improvement goals,” said Yohemas.

The National Research Council Canada’s website states that from October 2011 to March 31, 2014, they expect to support some 630 SMEs with advisory services and funding to help them adopt digital technology.

Applications for DTTAP funding, open to for-profit companies incorporated and operating in Canada with fewer than 500 employees, closes March 31, 2014. For more information about the grant, visit http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/irap/dtapp/index.html.