McCain Foods announces an investment of £100m in its Scarborough Potato Processing Plant (United Kingdom)

McCain Foods announces an investment of £100m (USD 120m) in its Scarborough Potato Processing Plant (United Kingdom).

The company said the investment is made to satisfy increasing demand for its products and to safeguard jobs.

Scarborough is the place where the Canadian french fry manufacturer McCain Foods decided to build its first overseas plant close to 50 years ago. Construction started in 1968 and production in Scarborough began in 1969.

The investment not only includes equipment upgrades but also implementation of technology to reduce the environmental impact of the operation.

The Yorkshire Evening Post specifically mentions the installation of an anaerobic digester, state-of-the-art odour reduction technology, as well as extensive landscaping around the perimeter of the factory.

Bill Bartlett, McCain’s corporate affairs director:

“This is a significant investment for McCain and one that will allow us to meet the ongoing increased demand for our products, address long-term capacity and capability opportunities and deliver the latest technology and broader environmental benefits.”

“This proposal certainly secures our operations in Scarborough and continued employment in the area for decades to come.”

The news comes weeks after McCain Foods (UK) announced it was planning to outsource its cold and dry storage needs. Closing the current on-site storage put 74 jobs at risk.

When asked if any new jobs would be created by the announced investment the spokesperson said:

“The message here is very much about securing jobs, rather than creating jobs.”

Coun Derek Bastiman, leader of Scarborough Borough Council, praised the investment:

“This is an extremely significant announcement from McCain, which cements the company’s commitment to Scarborough and the Yorkshire coast, and from which our area’s economy stands to benefit massively.”

“An investment of such magnitude will have a hugely positive impact on the local job market and supply chain, which in turn will benefit many other businesses and local families.”

The company’s proposal is currently at the pre-planning stage, with full plans to be submitted for consultation in the coming weeks.

If approved, work is due to start on the revamp project in the summer, with the new factory expected to be up-and-running operationally within three years.