VIP Phase1 Success Story - Scheps’ Bakeries
Background & Expansion Needs
Scheps’ Bakeries, a family-owned syrup-waffle manufacturer based in Norwich, Ontario, sought to scale operations to meet growing North American demand. With ambitions to launch ice‑cream‑cookie products and further automate production, they needed a modern facility with room to grow.
Choosing Van Norman Innovation Park
Phase1 of the VanNorman Innovation Park, strategically located on Highway3 and tightly positioned within two hours of Toronto and close to border crossings, had offered competitively priced industrial lots specifically for advanced food-processing businesses. These lots sold out in just nine months after servicing was completed in September 2021.
Building Big - and Fast
Scheps’ seized the opportunity and secured the largest lot. By the end of Phase1, they began constructing a cutting-edge 190,000sqft bakery facility—a second plant for the company—designed for both high-volume waffle cookie production and flexibility for new product lines like ice cream cookies.
Economic & Community Impact
The new facility will start operations in 2025, initially creating around 100 new jobs, with more roles expected as production scales. The move spurs growth in Oxford County's food-processing cluster and exemplifies the region's ability to support rural manufacturing expansion.
Key Wins
| Metric | Impact |
| Speed | VIP Phase1 sold out 9 months after servicing—ideal timing for Scheps’ expansion |
| Scale | New 190ksqft facility tailored for next-gen waffle and dessert production |
| Jobs | ~100 new positions in food processing by 2025 |
| Strategic Location | Easy access to markets across Southwestern Ontario, GTA, and the U.S. borders |
In Summary
Scheps’ Bakeries rapidly capitalized on VIP Phase1’s momentum, building a major new facility that supports ambitious product diversification and job growth. Their investment marks a significant milestone for both the company and the thriving industrial ecosystem around Tillsonburg.