McCain Foods to expand Alberta french fry plant

McCain Foods facility in Coaldale, Alberta

McCain Foods plans to expand production capacity by 15% at its french fry manufacturing plant in Coaldale, Alta.

TORONTO — McCain Foods Ltd., the world’s largest manufacturer of frozen potato products, plans to expand production capacity by 15% at its french fry manufacturing plant in Coaldale, Alta. The initiative will move McCain’s investments in capacity to more than $1 billion.

Built in 2000, the Coaldale plant employs more than 200 and draws its supply from 28 potato growers in the Southern Alberta region. The expansion is expected to be completed by this fall and is part of an ongoing capacity investment program at McCain that has included capacity investments at plants in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, France, Belgium, Argentina, Colombia and India.

Dirk Van de Put, president and c.e.o. of McCain Foods

“We’re actively evaluating new opportunities to invest in our network as our global volumes increase,” said Dirk Van de Put, president and chief executive officer of McCain Foods Ltd. “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.”