French-fry giant McCain chips in $37 million for upgrade of Smithton potato processing plant

A potato processing plant in Tasmania is set to become the nation’s French fry capital as a frozen food giant invests $37 million in upgrades.

McCain Foods has announced it will invest $37 million in its Smithton potato plant to upgrade it to become the company’s primary retail French fry production facility in Australia and New Zealand. Picture: SUPPLIED

A POTATO processing plant in Tasmania’s North-West will become McCain’s French fry capital as the frozen food giant invests $37 million in upgrades.

McCain today announced it would upgrade the Smithton factory to become the company’s primary retail French fry production facility in Australia and New Zealand.

It said 17 new permanent jobs would be created.

The small agricultural and forestry town was thrown into turmoil 10 years ago when McCain closed its vegetable processing plant, putting 190 mostly locals out of work.

The potato processing factory continued to operate.

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McCain Foods managing director for Australia and New Zealand Claudia Martinez said the upgrade would provide a significant boost for Smithton and the Tasmanian economy as a whole.

“This investment is a major vote of confidence in Smithton, our 95-strong workforce and the top-quality products they manufacture every single day,” Ms Martinez said.

“Our potato plant is already one of Smithton’s largest employers and we are delighted to be in a position to further grow our Tasmanian footprint, increase production and create new jobs locally.”

The McCain vegetable processing factory in Smithton.

During the construction phase, the plant upgrade will create more than 60 new jobs and inject a further $15 million in local trade and labour contracts throughout the life of the project.

Rodney McLaren, McCain Foods Smithton plant manager, said once the upgrade was complete the plant would be able to manufacture 25 new retail products and add processing capacity across the entire McCain supply network.

The upgrade to the 32-year-old plant will start next month and is expected to be completed by January.

Minister for Primary Industries and Water Guy Barnett called the investment a massive win for the Smithton community and a significant vote of confidence in Tasmanian agribusiness.

Potatoes are Tasmania’s highest value vegetable, worth $111 million at the farm gate and $345 million after processing according to the latest AgriFood Scorecard.