Lee Li Holdings unveils US$533M expansion to boost Ontario’s beverage manufacturing sector 

USA – Lee Li Holdings, through its Canadian subsidiaries, has announced plans to invest more than US$533 million to expand its beverage manufacturing footprint in Mississauga, Ontario.  

The investment by First Choice Beverage Inc., Global Beverage and Logistics Centre Inc., and Imperial Chilled Juice Inc. is expected to enhance co-manufacturing and warehousing capabilities, supporting both multinational beverage brands and regional retailers. 

The expansion aligns with the rising demand for healthy, non-carbonated drinks, a market that continues to grow as consumer preferences shift toward functional and wellness-oriented beverages. By scaling high-tech production capacity in Mississauga, the company aims to deliver beverages to Canadian and North American consumers more efficiently. 

According to John G. Spiteri, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at First Choice Beverage Inc., the investment will solidify Ontario’s position in the global non-carbonated beverage sector, a market valued at more than US$200 billion.  

He emphasized that the new, advanced manufacturing facility will focus on environmentally conscious processes and contribute to the province’s competitiveness in producing low-sugar beverage options. 

The project includes expanding an existing facility and constructing a new one, together adding over 100,000 square feet of modern manufacturing space. 

Planned upgrades include AI-enabled production systems, automated warehousing infrastructure, and sustainable technologies designed to cut energy consumption, wastewater output, and plastic waste by more than 30%. 

The new plant will prioritize plastic bottle manufacturing for beverages such as tea, coffee, sparkling water, and flavoured water. It will also launch a white-label production line to bottle beverages for store brands using ingredients sourced locally.  

Meanwhile, the expanded facility will continue to co-pack juices and dairy-alternative drinks in gable-top cartons, supported by new state-of-the-art processing equipment. 

By procuring raw materials like fresh-pressed apple and grape juices within Ontario, the initiative is expected to strengthen the province’s agricultural sector.  

The expansion is also poised to generate economic benefits across the regional supply chain, including added opportunities for distributors and logistics companies. 

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