The Roquette pea processing plant near Portage la Prairie has started 2021 in high gear.
The world's largest pea processing facility has been operational since the end of last year and welcomed its first load of peas Nov. 18. Since then, the plant has brought in over 200 loads of peas to the plant. Communication manager Michelle Finley elaborates on the current production status of the plant.
"Right now, we're in the commissioning and certification process. The plant is very large, it's 200,000 square feet of build space, and there are literally hundreds of thousands of different parts and systems within the plant that need to be finely tuned and certified for food safety," says Finley. "That process takes many months to do, so we're in that process."
Roquette plans to produce customer-ready protein this summer, and the plant will be at full capacity in early 2022. Roquette has privately invested over $600M towards the project, with much more investment trickling in through various levels of government. Finley notes, it takes a small village to construct a plant of this calibre.
"We still have about 1000 construction workers on site every day, who are helping us put the final touches on the plant," says Finley. "We have 110 Roquette Canada staff, and we're welcoming about 50 to 60 support staff coming from the USA, France, Italy, and Lithuania throughout the next few weeks to come to bring their expertise and help us start up the plant."
The plant has invested in asymptomatic testing sites for its workers, does temperature checks, and have ensured additional sanitation services are available. As of Friday, Roquette has reported a total of 11 COVID-19 cases during the pandemic -- none of which were contracted on-site. Interprovincial construction workers coming to Roquette have a modified self-isolation process that they follow, which means workers can arrive on site during their first day in Manitoba, but when not on the job, workers must isolate for fourteen days. Finley assures their testing procedures are rigorous.
"Workers are tested for COVID-19 72 hours before they leave their country. When they get to Manitoba, they go for another COVID test, then isolate for seven days, and then they pop back out to get their second test in Manitoba," says Finley. "Workers then go back to isolation for seven more days, so we follow exactly the requirements for international travellers that the Government of Manitoba and the federal government of Canada has put in place."
Finley adds, Roquette has seen a phenomenal response from local area growers and is currently in contract discussions with Manitoba and Saskatchewan farmers to supply the upcoming growing season.
"We're excited with the progress we've achieved. The vibe on-site is positive, and everyone's excited to serve as a new team that's come together," adds Finley. "Since May of last year, we've added 70 more people to our team, and we've just really gelled as a great unit. It's like building this plant, and putting in those long hours has bonded us as a team."
Finely says COVID-19 has caused problems ranging from interruptions with the supply chain, to training staff, but have come up with creative solutions.
"We've invested in some advanced technology -- like smart glasses. We have people in France wearing smart glasses, and then those images are transmitted back to the plant, and that's how folks back here in Canada are learning, instead of bringing that person here," says Finley. "So, there are lots of unique ways that we've had to adapt to social distancing and build that into the process."
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