Major boost for McCain Foods in UK and US - acquisition of US firm Anchor Food Products, new factory planned for West Midlands - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included

Eurofood, Oct 11, 2001

McCain Foods, the leading supplier of frozen potato products in the UK, has announced that it is investing 70m [pounds sterling] (112.7m [European Dollar]) in a new factory to be built in the West Midlands, England. The factory will create 150 new jobs for the time being, with potential for up to 450 positions in future.

President and chief executive of McCain, Howard Mann, said: "We are excited about this investment. It is good news for McCain, British potato growers, the local community in the West Midlands and our customers, who show every sign of wanting more high quality products from high quality producers."

Nick Vermont, managing director of McCain UK, said he expected to start shipping product from the plant some time in 2004.

McCain has a current turnover of 350m [pounds sterling] in the UK and produces 420 000t of frozen and chilled potato products at five sites.

US DEAL COMPLETED

The Canadian company has also announced the completion of its acquisition of US firm Anchor Food Products, including its production facilities and foodservice operations. The purchase does not include the branded retail products business, which was acquired by Heinz.

The new addition should boost sales in the US to in the region of US$1.5bn (1.6bn [European Dollar]) as well as reaffirm its position as a major firm in the frozen appetiser sector.

The maker of onion rings and other speciality appetisers reported sales of US$503m in 2000.