Testing sets back production, but new plant is still ahead of original schedule

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McCain Foods' new potato processing plant in Florenceville will be up and running sometime next week.

The company had hoped to start operations this week, but spokesperson Calla Farn said the company pushed that date back to run some final tests.

"We're just doing some final testing of equipment, systems and processes," said Farn, "it's all part of a normal start-up."

Farn pointed out the plant is opening much sooner than the company first expected.

"We did originally plan to start production in September, so we're well ahead of schedule."

The plant is processing potatoes today as part of some final equipment tests, said Farn.

She couldn't name an exact date next week for the first official production day.

The plant will not be running at full capacity right away, Farn told reporters last week.

The company will run three shifts, five days a week. That's down from four shifts, seven days a week at the old plant.

The old factory was built more than 50 years ago and was the first ever constructed by McCains.

It shutdown in mid-May. Construction of the new facility started in spring of last year.

Farn said the plant will eventually run at full capacity.

"We're confident this will be a good year for the company," she said.

The $65-million french fry plant will give the company many advantages, Farn told the media.

New equipment and processes at the facility will use 50 per cent less water than the old plant.

It will also cut electricity and heating costs, said Farn.

The factory's boiler will be fueled by biogas, a renewable fuel made from potato waste, which will further reduce carbon emissions from the operation.

With files from Ben Shingler.