McCain Food's $19 million plant upgrade in Hastings was officially opened yesterday by the Prime Minister, a kaumatua, a choir and an orchestra.
McCain Foods Australia and New Zealand managing director Steve Yung told hundreds of employees and growers that when McCain Foods acquired the Hastings site in 1996 from Grower
Foods, the staff totals were 60 permanent and 100 seasonal.
"The new bean line will produce more than 5000 tonnes and create 72 casual jobs during the processing," he said. "We have invested about $70 million in this plant since acquisition to make it a world-class facility and now we will be adding close to a 100 permanent and casual new jobs.
"New Zealand vegetable growers are producing high-quality vegetables, and if these continue to be competitively priced, the future of the plant and the Hawke's Bay community is assured."
Prime Minister John Key said the plant was an exciting development, the start of an exciting decade for Hastings because of the growing Asian economies.
"We are seeing a sensational increase in the demand for food," he said.
Mr Key was given a tour of the new plant along with local growers, among them Leicester Gray, whose beans were being processed. Beans are a new crop for Hawke's Bay contract growers.
The construction of the plant was completed before schedule by Mackersey Construction.
Mr Yung, who is based in Victoria's Ballarat, said the spirit of co-operation and optimism that enabled the development could be encapsulated in a few words: "Ah McCain ... you've done it again."
