Chapman's

Founding and early growth

The Chapman's story began in 1973 when David and Penny Chapman purchased a small creamery in the village of Markdale, Ontario. The initial operation was modest, starting with just four employees and a fleet of two delivery trucks. The company focused on producing and distributing ice cream from this single location. Over the subsequent decades, the family-run business expanded its product lines and distribution reach across Ontario and eventually further afield. This steady growth established Chapman's as a significant player in the Canadian frozen dessert market long before it achieved its current scale.

The 2009 fire and reconstruction

A defining event in the company's history occurred on September 4, 2009, when a major fire completely gutted the original Markdale creamery. Fortunately, no employees were injured in the blaze. In the immediate aftermath, Chapman's continued operations using a smaller, secondary plant. The company committed to rebuilding and, exactly one year later on September 4, 2010, opened a new, significantly larger facility on the site of the destroyed plant. The old, smaller plant was converted into a dedicated nut facility for products containing nuts, while the new main plant was designed as a completely nut-free environment. This expansion allowed the company to hire between 50 and 100 new employees and dramatically increased production capacity.

Production and distribution facilities

Chapman's production remains centred in its hometown of Markdale. The company operates two main plants there, a 65,000 square foot facility dedicated to products containing nuts and a much larger 150,000 square foot nut-free plant. Additionally, Chapman's runs a 140,000 square foot distribution centre on Highway 10 south of Markdale. To serve the Atlantic Canadian market more efficiently, the company opened a second distribution centre in Hampton, New Brunswick in 2001. A notable feature of the Markdale operation is a company-owned wastewater treatment plant capable of purifying 675,000 litres of water daily from cleaning and production processes.

Product range and market position

Chapman's has built its reputation on a wide array of frozen desserts sold under its own brand name. The company is also a major manufacturer of store-brand, or private-label, ice cream for various Canadian grocery retailers. A key aspect of its product development has been creating options for consumers with dietary restrictions, including an extensive line of nut-free ice creams produced in the dedicated facility. As the largest independent ice cream and ice water manufacturer in Canada, Chapman's holds a unique position in the market, competing with larger multinational corporations while maintaining its family-owned status. Its products are available in grocery stores and other retail outlets across the country.

Response to the COVID-19 pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Chapman's offered its industrial freezers to the local Grey Bruce Health Unit to help store Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which required ultra-cold storage. The company later implemented a workplace policy requiring unvaccinated employees to undergo twice-weekly, company-paid rapid antigen tests. As compensation for the cost of this testing program, vaccinated employees received a one-dollar per hour wage increase. This policy drew calls for a boycott from some anti-vaccination groups. In response, a wave of public support for the company emerged across Canada. Company vice-president Ashley Chapman stated in a media interview that the boycott calls had no measurable impact on the company's financial performance.

Managing trade tariffs

Chapman's demonstrated adaptability in the face of international trade disputes. After the United States government under President Donald Trump announced tariffs on Canadian goods, Chapman's proactively shifted its sourcing for certain ingredients. Ingredients that were previously sourced from the United States were instead procured from other countries, such as Italy. Furthermore, the company made the decision to absorb the immediate cost increases resulting from the tariffs rather than passing them directly on to consumers. This approach was part of a broader strategy to maintain stability and affordability for its Canadian customer base during a period of economic uncertainty.

Ownership and management

Chapman's has remained a privately held, family-owned business since its founding in 1973. The company was established by husband-and-wife team David and Penny Chapman. Leadership has since transitioned to the next generation, with their son Ashley Chapman serving as vice-president and overseeing day-to-day operations. This continuity of family ownership is a point of pride for the company, which emphasizes its Canadian roots and independent status in its branding. The ownership structure has allowed Chapman's to make long-term strategic decisions, such as the major rebuild after the 2009 fire, without the pressures of public shareholders.

Community and industry role

As a major employer in the Grey County region, Chapman's plays a significant role in the local economy. The company's expansion projects, like the 2010 rebuild, have directly created dozens of jobs in the community. Beyond employment, Chapman's has engaged in community support initiatives, most visibly during the pandemic by offering freezer space for vaccine storage. Within the Canadian food industry, the company stands out for its scale as an independent manufacturer and its specialization in allergen-conscious production. Its ability to produce both branded and private-label products makes it an important supplier to the national grocery retail sector.

Questions about Chapman's

Is Chapman's a Canadian-owned company?

Yes, Chapman's is a fully Canadian-owned and family-operated business. It was founded in 1973 by David and Penny Chapman. Their son, Ashley Chapman, now runs the company. Chapman's markets itself as the largest independent ice cream manufacturer in Canada.

What happened to Chapman's after the 2009 fire?

A fire destroyed the main Chapman's plant on September 4, 2009. The company continued operations from a smaller secondary plant. Exactly one year later, on September 4, 2010, they opened a new, much larger facility on the original site. The old smaller plant was converted for nut production, while the new plant is nut-free.

When was Chapman's founded and by whom?

Chapman's was founded in 1973 by David and Penny Chapman. They purchased the Creamery in Markdale, Ontario. The company started as a small creamery with just four employees and two trucks. Their son, Ashley, currently runs the business.

What happened on September 4, 2010, for Chapman's?

On September 4, 2010, Chapman's opened their new facility. This opening occurred on the one year anniversary of the fire that destroyed their old plant. The new, larger plant became a nut free facility. The smaller plant from after the fire was converted into a nut facility.

How did Chapman's assist during the COVID-19 pandemic?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Chapman's volunteered their industrial freezers to the Grey Bruce Health Unit. This was to help store Pfizer and Moderna vaccine vials which require strong refrigeration. The company also implemented a vaccine mandate for employees. This policy led to calls for a boycott from anti vaccination groups but also sparked public support across Canada.

What are the sizes and purposes of Chapman's two plants in Markdale?

Chapman's operates two plants in Markdale. The smaller plant is 65,000 square feet and is used as a nut facility. The larger plant is 150,000 square feet and is a nut free facility. The larger plant is about quadruple the size of the old plant that was destroyed by fire.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Novello Desserts desk. Last updated 2026-10-20.