A veteran of Canada’s meat industry is embarking on a new venture this week.
Mark Ishoy, the former president of Eastern Meat Solutions Inc. and the Sierra Group of Companies in Ontario, has been appointed to oversee the set up of the new BC Beef Producers Inc. project.
The industry-led venture will buy cull cows from qualifying producers, process the animals and sell the meat under the “Genuine BC Beef” brand. Processing will take place at KML Meat Processors Ltd.’s plant in Westwold. A lease on the premises begins this week, with production set to begin by the end of October.
Ishoy recently retired, having held the position of president at Eastern Meat since 2014. He was described at the time as having enjoyed “a distinguished career” in the meat industry. He’s now bringing his history of working with beef packers, processors and distributors to bear in BC.
Among the assets Ishoy brings to the industry are a knowledge of the full meat product cycle as well as a customer-focused attitude, forged in part during the ownership and operation of his own meat plant.
Ishoy will be chief operating officer of BC Beef Packers, which will operate as a private issuer under BC securities regulations. This provision limits shareholders to 50 producers, as defined by securities rules.
With respect to animals, provisions are in place to ensure that animals are produced and treated in accordance with industry best practices.
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