Vernon sausage maker announces major expansion

An $8-million dollar construction project is underway on Waddington Drive in Vernon, which will be the home of a state of the art processing plant for the Vernon Sausage Company.

The build-out will see the company expand from 8,000 square feet to 25,000 square feet.

“We have been looking for the right property in Vernon for the last five years or so. We have always intended to keep our core business here,” Helmut West Jr., Vernon Sausage Company President, said.

The family has a long history in the Okanagan with Helmut West Sr. starting Okanagan-Oyama sausage and H&P Sausage before settling in Vernon. Helmut’s Sausage Kitchen was opened in 2001 with a second store added later in Kelowna. “Dad would have loved this. It’s too bad he isn’t here to see this. He would have been proud,” West said. West Sr. passed away in April at the age of 84.

“We have been pushing above 100 per cent production for the past five years. We are totally maxed out,” West said

Pay

Vernon's mayor and council pay going up as originally planned

7h ago

Official Community Plan

Vernon's new OCP officially adopted

7h ago

Shopping Interruption

Vernon's mall evacuated after fire alarm pulled

8h ago

The new plant will focus on high quality products using state of the art equipment from Europe for the curing and drying process. Northwest European Master tradesmen will be brought in to train local staff in the fine art of producing specialty meats.

“These will be good jobs. We plan to double our staff over the next three years to around 80 with wages of $25 per hour,” West said. “We will be creating a sub brand. Helmut’s is well known locally but we want to sell inter provincially and perhaps globally. The Okanagan is well known for food and wine. We will be introducing “Okanagan Artisan Charcuterie,” as a market brand.”

“Artisan skills, blended with modern technology and the best food safety practises, will make the highest quality product,” West added.

West hopes to have the facility operational by next November. The deli will stay in its current location on 48th Avenue.

The growth should be positive for agriculture as well. The company sources 90 per cent of its product in Canada, with 75 per cent from Alberta and B.C. farmers.