Mississauga is poised for a major economic lift as Lee Li Holdings confirms a more than $533 million investment to expand its beverage manufacturing operations in Ontario. The project, backed in part by a loan through the Invest Ontario Fund, will significantly grow both the size and output of Lee Li’s existing bottling and packing facility, creating 275 new jobs and reinforcing local supply chains.
The expansion includes enlarging the current plant by 15,000 square feet and constructing a state-of-the-art 85,000-square-foot facility. Together, this will add over 100,000 square feet of advanced manufacturing capacity to serve as a new North American hub for plastic bottle production for consumer favourites like tea, coffee, sparkling and flavoured waters.
Executives say the move not only strengthens Ontario’s foothold in the global non-carbonated beverage market — valued at more than USD $200 billion — but also positions the province at the forefront of technology-driven, environmentally sensitive production. Automated warehousing, AI-enabled processing and sustainable practices are central to reducing energy use, wastewater and plastic waste by more than 30%.
Ontario’s commitment to strengthening local manufacturing and supply chains remains a priority amid ongoing global economic uncertainty. “Lee Li’s expansion will ensure that more Ontario-made products are bottled and packed right here at home,” said Hon. Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. He added that the investment will support good-paying jobs for families in Mississauga while delivering meaningful downstream benefits across the province’s agri-food sector, reinforcing Ontario’s goal of building a more resilient and self-reliant economy.
A new white-label beverage line will support local retailers and brands using locally sourced ingredients, boosting both farm-to-table initiatives and regional agriculture.
“This investment will be a remarkable win for Ontario as Lee Li deepens its commitment to the province after four decades of continued growth,” said Khawar Nasim, CEO of Invest Ontario, highlighting the company’s evolution from a premium meat distributor into a diversified global manufacturer.
