McCain moves to acquire Penobscot McCrum processing plant
McCain Foods plans to expand its presence in Maine with a new acquisition.
USA – McCain Foods plans to grow its processing capacity in the United States after it entered into an agreement to acquire Penobscot McCrum LLC, a North American supplier of frozen potato products.
The deal includes the company’s potato facility in Washburn, Maine, and will close once both sides meet standard requirements.
McCain said the McCrum farming business will stay independent. The farm will supply potatoes to McCain through a long-term deal that both sides agreed to.
Around 130 employees who work at the Washburn plant will join McCain once the deal closes. McCrum’s CEO and CFO will help both teams move through the transition.
McCain has worked in Maine’s potato sector for decades after it bought its Easton processing plant in 1976. The Washburn site, which opened in 2020, will increase McCain’s output in the region and operate next to the Easton facility.
The two companies also share long relationships with potato growers in the Northeast, and McCain said it plans to keep current grower agreements in place.
Jay McCrum, owner and CEO of Penobscot McCrum, said the move fits the long link between the two businesses. He explained that the family will continue to run its farm under the new supply deal. “This agreement supports the relationship we have built over many years with McCain,” he said. “Our family will continue to focus on our farming work while the plant begins a new chapter under McCain.”
Focus on capacity and growth
McCain said the acquisition will grow its processing footprint in North America and help meet demand for frozen potato items. The company also plans to improve the Washburn plant once it completes the deal. It aims to bring new upgrades and improve how the facility handles operations, logistics, and product flow.
In a statement, McCain said the new site will support its broader plan to improve processing efficiency across its network. “The Washburn facility brings added capacity and supports our plan to strengthen production in the region,” the company noted. It added that long-term grower partnerships remain central to its operations.
This agreement comes at a time when the frozen potato sector continues to shift across North America. Several producers have explored expansion as demand for frozen fries and specialty products grows in retail and food service markets. Industry watchers see the Washburn acquisition as one of the latest moves shaping the sector.
McCain, which is headquartered in Florenceville, New Brunswick, said it will release more details once both sides complete the approval process. The company expects the Washburn site to play a key role in its growth plans for the region.
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