McCain Foods in Smithton will receive a $37 million infrastructure upgrade next year, making the local plant the leading french fry production facility in Australia and New Zealand.

The multi-million dollar investment supports the recent addition of 17 new permanent jobs at the potato plant.

A further 60 jobs will be created during the construction phase along with $15 million in local trade and labour contracts to be awarded throughout the project.

Smithton plant manager Rodney McLaren says once work is completed, the factory will be capable of manufacturing 25 new retail products and will increase the capacity of the McCain Foods supply network.

“This infrastructure upgrade is a massive boost for all our staff, the local Smithton community and the entire McCain Foods operation across Australia and New Zealand,” Mr McLaren says.

“For more than a decade, we have applied lean manufacturing methods to our production processes and implemented market-leading efficiency strategies that have allowed us to rapidly expand onsite production.

“This new multi-million dollar investment in our plant will cement our strategic position within the McCain supply chain network, and create more space for additional growth across the entire organisation.”

The Smithton factory was built in 1987, and while it has received minor infrastructure upgrades, this is the first significant investment in the site to date.

Upgrades are set to start next month and expected to be completed by January next year.

Built in 1987, McCain Foods in Smithton will receive $37 million in infrastructure upgrades, starting next month.