Company
Tony’s Meats is a leading Atlantic Canadian value-added meat processor of Atlantic raised, top quality,
proteins for its customers.
About Us: The Early Years
Antigonish Abattoir was founded in 1963 and by 1976, upgraded the red meat processing facility to adhere to the Federal Inspection program for the production of fresh pork, beef, and lamb.
The 80’s
In 1984, the business addressed the need to become value added and started the production of fresh sausages, and two years later expanded this line to include bacon, hams, cooked meats, and cooked sausages.
In 1987, the business launched the Tony's brand name and expanded its presence throughout Northeastern Nova Scotia. Over the next ten 10 years, the business continually expanded through market share growth and addition of infrastructure and equipment.
The 21st Century
In 2001 it was decided that the current infrastructure was operating at maximum capacity. To maximize the efficiency of current business operations and to enable the company to better accommodate new business an expansion was started. In 2002 the expansion was completed. The new unit included new space for processing, shipping and receiving along with a new freezer and dry storage area.
In 2007 two local farmers, Fraser Hunter and Herman Berfelo, created a vision of a farmer owned processing facility to bring their products to markets. Herman is a hog farmer and supplies a substantial amount of the livestock for pork production at the facility. Fraser is a dairy farmer with an extensive background in Agri-Culture development. Together they made their dream a reality.
Today, Antigonish Abattoir Ltd. is privately owned by 15 farmers / shareholders, it is HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) recognized and Federally Inspected meat processing facility employing 45 people in Antigonish, NS. Herman is currently the President and Fraser is the Secretary.
Currently, our company can be looked at as manufacturing two separate product lines, fresh meats and processed meats. We market our fresh pork, and lamb under Antigonish Abattoir Ltd. Our processed products are marketed under the Tony's brand name, and allow us to value add to our fresh business.
Antigonish Abattoir currently processes 350 hogs and 60 lamb per week under Federal Inspection and market our products throughout Atlantic Canada and export markets. We are one of two Federally Inspected plants in Nova Scotia to butcher pork, and lamb.
Our processed products marketed under the Tony's brand currently include over 50 products shipped mainly within Atlantic Canada and St. Pierre. Over the past year we have distributed Tony's' Brand products as far as Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia.
The Future
A focus on increased value added processing is our main area for growth and development as we utilized our Federal Inspection, location, and access to our own raw materials to gain market share and create new markets.
This is an area of our business we are certain will show strong growth and promise in the future. We are well positioned to capture market share through the development and positioning of new and innovative value added products for our customers.