Job loss threat at McCain Foods in Scarborough
Jobs are at risk at one of North Yorkshire’s biggest employers as McCain Foods undertakes a reorganisation across its business.
The global giant famous for French fries has confirmed it is proposing to “simplify” its operating model, and changes could affect some of the 650 roles at its Scarborough factory.
The company, which works with potato growers across Yorkshire, is one of North Yorkshire’s largest food manufacturers and a major employer on the coast.
It also has factories in Whittlesey, Wombourne, and Hull.
More than 650 people are employed by the company in Scarborough, out of a wider 1,300 staff across all four sites.
However, McCain declined to specify how many jobs could be at risk as it was in the process of “consulting with colleagues”, but said that “not all” the roles in Scarborough are included in the consultation.
A McCain spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “McCain is taking steps to ensure its GB manufacturing network remains competitive, efficient, and well positioned for long-term growth.
“As part of this, we are proposing changes to how our manufacturing operations are organised and structured, with a focus on creating a simpler, more sustainable operating model for the future.
“These proposals are intended to support the long-term success of our business and our manufacturing operations.
”We recognise that change can create uncertainty for colleagues and remain committed to managing the process responsibly, fairly, and with care.”
The spokesperson added that “not all of the proposed changes will lead to job losses and we will continue to engage openly and explore all reasonable options to reduce the number of those affected wherever possible”.
Last month, Food & Agri Business reported that European French fry manufacturers were “grappling with significant overcapacity” and that McCain recently scrapped plans for a “massive French fry plant in the German state of Lower Saxony”.
McCain noted its consultation process was still underway and “no final decisions have been made” in Scarborough.
A spokesperson anticipated the consultation process would conclude towards the end of the year, but added this was “indicative only and will depend on the consultation”.
Manufacturing operations will continue at the Scarborough factory under the proposals, the company confirmed.