McCain Foods, a major player in the food and beverage industry, is set to invest over €350m ($377.8m) in France to enhance its production facilities and bolster its competitiveness in the market. The Canadian company plans to allocate this investment across its three production sites located in Harnes, Béthune, and Matougues villages.
This strategic move aims to not only strengthen McCain’s presence in France but also anticipate the future needs of the French market. By enhancing its production capacity by almost 25%, the company is gearing up for growth and sustainability in the region.
With a history of previous investments totaling €125m over the past eight years, McCain is committed to further development in France. Today, the three sites process approximately 1m tons of potatoes annually, a figure expected to rise to 1.3m tons post-investment. The company’s current production output of 600,000 tons is predicted to increase to around 750,000 tons as a result of this investment.
Alain Duranleau, regional president of McCain Continental Europe, described the project as “an unprecedented investment” showcasing the group’s dynamism and commitment to France. CEO Max Koeune emphasized the company’s dedication to all stakeholders in France, including partner farmers, distributors, employees, and consumers.
The bulk of the funding, nearly €300m, will be allocated to the Harnes site, focusing on modernizing production lines and improving packaging capacity. The investment will also lead to significant reductions in CO2 emissions and water consumption at the facility.
Additionally, the Béthune site will receive €30m for a new production line, while the Matougues site will benefit from investments in fryer and coating technology. McCain’s sustainability goals are also a key focus of this investment, with plans to reduce emissions and optimize water consumption across all sites.
In conclusion, McCain’s substantial investment in France underscores its commitment to growth and sustainability in the food and beverage industry. The company’s proactive approach to addressing market needs and enhancing production capabilities signals a positive outlook for its continued success in the region.