Canada-based Ultima Foods has plans to invest C$14.4m ($10.6m) to install a new drinkable yoghurt production line and optimise operations at its Granby facility in Quebec.

The company will invest C$10.8m ($7.9m) for the new line, while Investissement Québec will provide a C$3.6m ($2.6m) interest-free loan.

The addition of a drinkable yoghurt line is expected to create 35 to 40 new employment opportunities at the Granby plant.

Ultima Foods' president Martin Parent said: "In the highly competitive yoghurt market, innovation drives our growth.

"In the highly competitive yoghurt market, innovation drives our growth."

"Not only do we have to serve consumers, who are always on the lookout for new products, but our facilities must also be extremely efficient to build our relations with our clients."

Ultima Foods produces 30% of the yoghurt consumed in Canada, and the new production line is expected to support the company in meeting the growing demand for drinkable products.

With the installation of this new line, weekly production at the Granby factory is expected to increase to 4.8 million units from 2.7 million units.

Optimisation of its operating costs will enable the firm to reinvest in the development of new yoghurt products.