H&S Malting
H&S Malting is a dedicated provider of malting services for grain grown in Ontario, delivering the finished product to local breweries across the province. As strong promoters of Ontario-grown products, H&S Malting is eager to collaborate with the Northern Ontario Farm Innovation Alliance (NOFIA) to explore the potential of barley grown in Northern Ontario and marketed in Southern Ontario. Their mission is to provide top-quality, locally-grown malt, meticulously processed and delivered to Ontario's craft breweries. This commitment not only supports local agriculture but also enhances the craft breweries' dedication to high-quality, intentionally sourced ingredients.
H&S Malting envisions scaling its operations consistently year after year, aiming for a 20% annual growth in customer base. The plan includes bringing a malting facility into production in Sarnia, trialing barley growth in Northern Ontario in 2024, and potentially establishing a malting facility in Northern Ontario by late 2025, depending on the success of the trials with NOFIA.
The loan from the Fair Finance Fund will enable H&S Malting to purchase essential equipment to optimize efficiency, expand its customer base, and effectively deliver and distribute the final product. As a startup project, they are acquiring used equipment from a malting business that has ceased operations and restarting it independently. The loan will also support the refinement and optimization of the malting process, leveraging the founders' previous experience and engineering expertise. Marketing efforts will focus on local breweries to secure contracts and reduce reliance on malted grain imported from the western provinces and overseas.
Economic Impact
The loan is expected to create jobs in Ontario by supporting the establishment and growth of the malting facility. By sourcing barley locally and reducing dependency on imported grains, H&S Malting will strengthen the local economy and support regional farmers. The company's growth strategy includes a 20% annual increase in customer base, ensuring steady demand for Ontario-grown barley and contributing to the economic stability of local suppliers. Additionally, by promoting Ontario malt, H&S Malting will help craft breweries enhance their product offerings, thereby boosting their sales and market presence.
Social/Environmental Impact
H&S Malting's commitment to sustainability will significantly reduce the carbon footprint associated with malted barley production. By sourcing and malting barley within Ontario, the environmental impact of long-distance transportation will be minimized. The company's future plans include transitioning to green energy sources, such as solar or wind, to power their operations, further reducing their carbon footprint. The use of eco-friendly practices in malting and a focus on 100% organic production will enhance the environmental sustainability of their operations.
The collaboration with NOFIA to trial barley growth in Northern Ontario represents a significant breakthrough in the industry, potentially bringing substantial economic benefits across the province. This initiative will promote local agriculture, support regional farmers, and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient food system. H&S Malting's innovative approach to malting and their dedication to environmental stewardship position them as leaders in the movement towards a more sustainable and locally-focused food economy in Ontario.
