McCain Foods is committing USD75m for two Manitoba potato processing plants, including those in Carberry and Portage la Prairie.

A press release from the company says USD45m is earmarked for the Portage la Prairie facility for the purchase of a new high-efficiency potato sorting system, “cutting edge” processing and packaging equipment and new onsite waste water processing. According to brandonsun.com, the heating and cooling equipment will be upgraded to improve the plant’s environmental footprint and multiple trucks will be able to unload at once.

The Carberry facility will receive USD30m for the installation of auto sampling equipment, a blanching system, improved heating and refrigeration systems for the whole facility and other upgrades.

“The investments further strengthen the company’s potato processing presence in Western Canada,” the release says.