McCain, the renowned Canada-based frozen potato products leader, has announced a substantial investment of over €350 million ($377.8 million) in France to enhance its production capabilities and bolster its presence in the country. The company aims to anticipate the evolving needs of the French market through this strategic initiative.
The investment will be directed towards the development of production facilities at McCain’s three sites located in the villages of Harnes and Béthune in Pas-de-Calais, as well as the Matougues village in the Marne region. This substantial financial commitment is part of McCain’s long-term strategy to reinforce its operations in France and enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of its production facilities.
Beginning in early summer 2024, the investment will be carried out over several years, resulting in a significant boost in production capacity by nearly 25%. Currently processing around 1 million tons of potatoes annually across the three sites, McCain’s investment aims to increase this figure to 1.3 million tons.
The planned expansion will elevate the company’s production of finished products in France from 600,000 tons to approximately 750,000 tons, marking a substantial growth in output. Alain Duranleau, the regional president of McCain Continental Europe, described this project as an unparalleled investment underscoring the group’s commitment to France and its regions.
Max Koeune, CEO of McCain, emphasized the company’s dedication to growth in France, highlighting the significance of this investment for various stakeholders, including partner farmers, distributors, restaurateurs, customers, consumers, and the company’s employees.
The majority of the investment, approximately €300 million, will be allocated to the Harnes site to modernize the dehydrated potato puree flakes lines and enhance packaging capacity. The investment plan also aligns with McCain’s sustainability objectives by aiming to reduce CO2 emissions by 50% and water consumption per tonne of finished product by 30% at the Harnes site.
Furthermore, the Béthune site is set to receive €30 million for a new production line focusing on potato specialities, while the Matougues site will benefit from an investment of around €25 million to upgrade its fryer and introduce coating technology.
With over 1,000 employees and partnerships with more than 800 farmers in France, McCain’s significant investment underscores its commitment to growth, innovation, and sustainability in the region.
