McCain Foods Limited, a privately owned company established in 1957 by the McCain brothers in Florenceville, New Brunswick, Canada, is the world's largest producer of french fries and other oven-ready frozen foods.
McCain foods has 20,000 employees and 55 production facilities in 12 countries spanning six continents. It processes 1 million pounds of potato products each hour and sells one-third of the world's frozen French fries products, in over 110 countries.
McCain foods has net sales of US$ 5,800,000,000 (5.8 billion).
In 1978 McCain acquires a French fry plant in Hoofddorp, Netherlands. McCain completed major expansion of their prepared foods plant in Florenceville, Canada.
In 1984 McCain purchases a vegetable processing plant in Smithton, Australia, a Britfish Ltd. fish processing plant in Hull, England, and a Tater Meal Inc. potato-based animal foods plant in Presque Isle, USA.
In 1987 McCain officially opens a juice plant in Calgary, Canada and a French fry manufacturing plant in Bethune, France.
In 1988 McCain acquires potato processing plants in Othello in Clark, USA. McCain announces a $33M project to double production at the potato processing plant in Harnes, France. McCain also purchases assets Ellio’s Pizza in the US
In 1989 McCain announces a $35M expansion for the potato processing plant in Othello, USA.
In 1990 McCain acquires New Zealand Alpine Foods Ltd., a vegetable processor, in Timaru, New Zealand. A fire damages facilities in Florenceville, Canada and a $25M reconstruction plan immediately initiates. McCain begins construction of a $2.4M Group Data Centre in Florenceville, Canada.
In 1991 McCain officially opens a potato processing plant in Borden-Carleton, [[PEI], Canada. McCain acquires the assets of Polder Food Products in Lelystad, Netherlands.
In 1992 McCain acquires Safries Pty. Ltd. in Penola. Australia.
In 1996 McCain opens a French fry plant in Balcarce, Argentina, the first fully automated French fry facility in South America. Everest Foods PLC of Wombourne, England and Growers Food Limited of Hastings, Australia is acquired by McCain.
In 1997 McCain purchases Ore-Ida Foods for $500M in the US, which includes five production facilities.
In 1998 McCain announces the construction of a $78.6M French fry plant in Wroclaw, Poland. McCain officially opens a $41M expansion of its Lelystad, [[Netherlands] French fry facility. McCain announces the construction of a $93.9M potato processing plant in Alberta, Canada.
In 1999 McCain purchases the assets of Fraîcheur d’Europe of Vic-sur-Aisne, France. McCain announces it will double the production at Balcarce, Argentina in a $68.4M expansion.
In 2000 McCain doubles production at its Easton, USA facility in a $70.8M expansion. McCain purchases a modern French fry plant and two frozen vegetable plants in South Africa. McCain purchases Aloro Foods Inc., a frozen pizza manufacturer, of Mississauga, Canada. McCain officially opens its new state-of-the-art French fry plant in Coaldale, Canada. McCain announces the construction of a $7.2M Potato Processing Technology Centre in Florenceville, Canada.
In 2001 McCain acquires Heinz Frozen Foods (SA) (Pty.) Ltd. of Viljoenskroon, South Africa, Anchor Food Products in the US, and Heinz Wattie’s Australasia for $33M, a New Zealand frozen vegetable and French fry company.
In 2002 McCain acquires Goodman Fielder International (Taiwan) Limited, an ethnic Chinese frozen food company and Wing Wong Foods of Montreal, Canada, a manufacturer of Chinese entrées, egg rolls, and dim sum.
In 2003 McCain acquires Belleisle Foods Limited of New Brunswick, Canada, a manufacturer of egg rolls and other Chinese frozen foods.
In 2004 McCain upgrades its Grand Falls, Canada pizza plant in a $29M expansion. McCain begins construction of a $43M French fry facility in Harbin, China. McCain acquires Midwest Food Prodcuts Inc. of Manitoba, Canada.
