McCain Foods starts work on £100M expansion

05-Sep-2017 - Last updated on 06-Sep-2017 at 12:22 GMT

Pictured (from left to right): Derek Bastiman, McCain Foods vice president Stuart Herd, Jim Dillon and Nick Vermont

McCain Foods has started work on its £100M plan to renovate its factory in Scarborough, following approval from the local council.

Members of the Scarborough Borough Council joined senior leaders at McCain at the company’s Eastfield site yesterday (September 5) to commemorate the start of the factory’s upgrade. Pictured are councillor Derek Bastiman, leader of Scarborough Borough Council and Jim Dillon, chief executive of Scarborough Borough Council.

Speaking at the event, McCain GB and Ireland’s regional ceo Nick Vermont said: “The investment we are making to renew the facility will secure the continued, long-term success of our site here in Eastfield for generations to come, allowing us to meet the increased demand for our products.

“As well as upgrading equipment, we will also be delivering broader environmental benefits, such as installing state-of-the-art odour reduction technology.”

‘Delivering broader environmental benefits’

McCain submitted plans to expand the site in North Yorkshire in March this year, receiving approval from the local council in July.

The manufacturer said the investment would help meet increased demand for its products, upgrade equipment and increase sustainability at the factory.

Its plans included: installing odour reduction technology, landscaping around the perimeter of the facility and implementing renewable technology to reduce the company’s environmental impact.

McCain said the improvements would introduce new efficient potato handling and storage equipment.

Councillor Derek Bastiman, leader of Scarborough Borough council, added: “This event sends a clear message from McCain that it is committed to operations in Scarborough and moving forward with its investment in the facility here.

‘Transformation of the site’

“We are pleased to see this work getting underway and look forward to seeing the transformation of the site over the coming years.”

McCain said the start of construction heralded increased activity at its nearby John Young Training Centre over the coming months.

Established almost 50 years ago, McCain’s Eastfield factory is one of the firm’s most successful sites according to the company, and is one of the region’s largest employers.

Meanwhile, Welsh burger supplier The Burger Manufacturing Company opened its new £4M production facility in Powys today (September 6).