McCain Foods this week announced its biggest capital expenditure in the company’s history, a C$600 million (US$437 million) investment in its Coaldale, Alberta, plant, doubling the size and output of the facility.
The expansion will create two new production lines, one for frozen french fries and the other for frozen potato specialty products. Once fully operational, the expansion will more than double the workforce at Coaldale to 485.
McCain opened the Coaldale plant in 2000. Construction on the expansion is expected to start later this year.
There will be significant sustainability aspects. The project will include wind turbines and solar panels, providing 100% renewable electricity to the site. Biogas generated at the wastewater treatment facility will be maximized and transported to the steam boilers to offset natural gas demands. A water recycling system will produce clean potable water to be used in the manufacturing process.
McCain has a goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions across its global operations in half by the end of the decade.
"This will fuel continued growth for the business, allowing us to serve key markets further by bringing customers high quality potatoes that begin with our dedicated local farming community,” said Max Koeune, president/CEO.
