SunOpta Expands Oat Fiber Capacity
TORONTO, Dec 16, 2003 -- SunOpta Inc. (SunOpta)
(Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY) today announced that it has completed a 20%
expansion of its oat fiber production capacity at its Cambridge,
Minnesota facility.
The Company also announced that it has approved a further
expansion of 35% to be implemented by March 1, 2004 at the Cambridge,
Minnesota facility. Total cost of the first two phases is estimated at
$1.2 million.
The Cambridge facility is operating on a seven day, 24 hour basis
and is expanding to meet the substantial increase in the demand for
oat fiber due in part to the concerns over obesity and the popularity
of the Atkins and other low carbohydrate diets. Oat fiber is low in
available carbohydrates plus absorbs up to seven times its weight in
water, which is free of carbohydrates and when added to bakery
products allows for the production of low carbohydrate breads,
pastries, muffins, bagels, tacos and tortillas. Oat fiber is also used
in other categories such as dairy, meat and snack food products.
The Company is currently further assessing operational
capabilities at both the Cambridge and Louisville facilities in an
effort to further expand production and optimize processing
capabilities.
SunOpta Inc. is an owner/operator of high-growth ethical
businesses, focusing on integrated business models in the natural and
organic food markets. For the last five consecutive years, SunOpta was
included in Profit magazine's 'Profit 100' list of the 100 fastest
growing companies in Canada. The company has three business units: the
Food Group, which specializes in sourcing, processing and distribution
of natural and organic food products; integrated from seed through
packaged products; the Environmental Industrial Group; a producer,
distributor, and recycler of environmentally friendly industrial
materials; and the Steam Explosion Technology Group who engineer and
market clean pulping systems using patented steam explosion
technology. Each of these business units has proprietary products and
services that give it a solid competitive advantage in its sector.
Websites: www.sunopta.com www.sunrich.com www.bei.ca
www.steamexplosion.com www.sunrichvalley.com www.organickitchen.ca
www.wildwestorganicharvest.com www.kettlevalley.net www.opta-food.com
www.proorganics.com www.sigcosun.com www.dakotagourmet.com
Note: This news release may contain forward-looking information.
Actual future results may differ materially. The risks, uncertainties,
and other factors that could influence actual results are described in
the Company's annual report to shareholders and in SEC filings.
SOURCE: SunOpta Inc.
SunOpta Inc.
Jeremy N. Kendall or Steve Bromley or Susan Wiekenkamp
905-455-2528, ext 103
info@sunopta.com
or
Investor Relations Counsel
The Equity Group Inc.
Linda Latman, 212-836-9609
www.theequitygroup.com