FDBusiness.com

Over the past 18 months, McCain Foods has announced increased capacity investments in its plants in the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, France, Belgium, Argentina, Colombia and India – reflecting the company’s continued growth on a global scale. “We’re actively evaluating new opportunities to invest in our network as our global volumes increase,” says Dirk Van de Put, president and chief executive of McCain Foods. “Over the last 18 months, we’ve confirmed investments of more than $1 billion to add capacity, including investments in infrastructure, technology and capabilities, across the full range of McCain products.”

For example, in the UK McCain Foods is planning to invest over a £100 million in renewing its production facility at Scarborough. As well as equipment upgrades, the renewal plans include state-of-the-art odour reduction technology, as well as extensive landscaping around the perimeter of the factory. The company will also be implementing renewable technology to further reduce its environmental impact. McCain Foods is the area’s largest private employer and works in partnership with over 200 suppliers, potato growers and community organisations in the region.

McCain Foods has also just announced plans to expand its capacity at its plant in Coaldale, Alberta, Canada. This investment will bring additional production capacity to the French fry manufacturing facility, helping to meet continued strong demand for McCain products in the company’s domestic and international markets.

Built in 2000, Coaldale is a key plant within the McCain North American supply network and today employs over 200 workers and draws its supply from 28 potato growers in the Southern Alberta region. The expansion is expected to be completed by autumn 2017 and is part of an ongoing global capacity investment program that the company has in place.