Jiffy Products (N.B.) Ltd – a division of Norwegian-founded, Netherlands-headquartered Jiffy Group – has manufactured a variety of eco-friendly products in New Brunswick for 48 years. Beginning its Canadian operations in Shippagan, the company relocated to a larger facility in Pokemouche in 2016 with support from ONB and ACOA. The expanded Pokemouche operation now employs roughly 225 people in northern New Brunswick and manufactures a diverse array of sustainable products.
Jiffy’s signature biodegradable peat-based plant pots are a major part of the production in Pokemouche along with the Jiffy-7 Pellets, another long-time company staple in its 60th year of production.
“Jiffy has been working towards sustainability for several decades, long before it became a prominent focus in the industry,” says Jonathan Basque, Continuous Improvement Manager. “Our products are all designed to be as eco-friendly as possible, and while our operations are moving towards sustainability, we are still continuously improving in this area.”
Proud of its New Brunswick longevity
“We are proudly celebrating 60 years of the Jiffy-7 Pellets internationally. Jiffy Products (N.B.) Ltd has been producing these products for about 45 of those years since we began operations in Shippagan. It’s now a New Brunswick-made product that has created local jobs, reduced emissions for customers, and helped create a greener planet,” says Basque. “They are a hugely important product for Jiffy, and while they are produced in Pokemouche, sister companies internationally also contribute to Jiffy’s product line.
He says Jiffy has always felt well-supported in New Brunswick. “ONB has supported us with productivity projects, sustainability initiatives, and trade missions. I think that through collaboration with ONB and its increased focus on sustainability, we should be able to enhance our sustainability efforts even further moving forward.”
The many benefits of going green
As part of a European-based company, Jiffy is now adhering to the ESG reporting standards of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and reports on its carbon emissions, responsibly produced peat usage, and more as part of its annual Sustainability Report. Basque says Jiffy holds several sustainability-related certifications to meet all international sustainability standards, opening doors to new opportunities across the globe.
He says both customers and supply chain partners now expect eco-friendly products and practices, and that sustainability is not a trend – it’s non-negotiable.
“Input from partners and customers helps us improve our production methods, use greener materials and produce more eco-friendly products. Meeting their expectations strengthens our relationships and helps our business continue its growth.”
He says the company has benefited in many ways from being a leader in sustainability –saving money through reduced energy usage and waste, tapping new international markets, establishing itself as the brand of choice for eco-conscious people, and creating loyal customers in the process.
Basque advises other New Brunswick businesses interested in sustainability to start small and set clear, achievable goals. “Even small changes can and will lead to big improvements over time. Working with other local organizations can also help make a larger impact on your community. There are many great businesses in New Brunswick to from which to learn and share best practices. We are always open to finding new local partners and helping more local people and businesses learn about what we do in this province.”
Learn more at https://jiffygroup.com/.
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New Brunswick-based businesses beginning their sustainability journey or who wish to find local supply chain partners, can connect with ONB. Our team serves as your trusted business advisors and partners in growth, and we are ready to help.