Next Generation follow supply chain relationships from field to fork

"Each part of the day aimed to demonstrate a unique supplier and customer relationship"
"Each part of the day aimed to demonstrate a unique supplier and customer relationship"

AHDB Potatoes’ Next Generation continued to explore GB’s diverse potato industry with a processing-focussed, whole supply chain day at McCain GB Foods Headquarters in Scarborough recently.

Demonstrating how customer satisfaction starts with a quality crop; the visit incorporated crop production processes at local potato seed and ware growers, James Stockdale Ltd (‘Stockdales’), before a tour of the McCain facilities at Scarborough.

The day concluded at a nearby Haven Holiday Park, Primrose Valley in Yorkshire, to see utilisation of the end product by McCain’s food service client Bourne Leisure Ltd, who provide holidays and holiday home ownership in the UK.

Matthew Stubbings, trainee fieldsman for McCain, and previous Next Generation delegate, continued his ambassadorial role in industry, leading proceedings for the day.

"Each part of the day aimed to demonstrate a unique supplier and customer relationship, highlighting the differing specifications and demands at each point.

"Whilst at the same time reflecting the common agenda for all stakeholders around maintaining provision of a consistently high quality product for the end consumer," explained Mr Stubbings.

'Keen to learn what happens after'

Next Generation delegate, Andrew Johnston of Albanwise Farming Ltd, on the value of the day, said: "Personally as farm manger for a large seed producer, I am very knowledgeable about seed potatoes, but keen to learn more about what happens after.

"My awareness was limited around what the ware grower, and then processers like McCain do, as well as the end user delivering direct to the consumer.

"It’s enlightening to see what direction they are all moving in and their individual challenges.

The Next Generation Programme serves to develop the future leaders of the GB potato industry through exposure to the whole supply chain
The Next Generation Programme serves to develop the future leaders of the GB potato industry through exposure to the whole supply chain

"It enables someone like myself, right at the very start of that chain, to better understand their perspective and help deliver what they’re looking for."

With a focus was on how they manage to maintain a reliable and consistent supply of high-grade processing potatoes, delegates headed to Stockdales to start the day.

A diverse enterprise, Stockdales undertakes production and grading of seed and ware.

Delegates were given insight into washing, cutting, chitting and storage of potatoes alongside their successful haulage business, delivering around 80 per cent of total haulage into McCain’s Scarborough site 24 hours a day, all year round.

After an in depth tour of the progressive and highly technical processing factory, McCain detailed how they deliver £110 million directly into the UK agricultural industry whilst also operating in over 160 countries across the world.

They are the biggest purchaser of potatoes in the UK, buying 10% Scottish seed and 15% of the ware crop directly from 300 UK farmers.

Despite their complexity and scale, they retain a simple philosophy – ‘It’s All Good’.

"This means good people, working in a good business, producing good food to make people feel good," explained Andra Stan, Corporate Affairs Manager for McCain over a working business lunch.

A final stop at Primrose Valley Holiday Park provided insight into this process, and how McCain work closely to understand their operators’ needs, enabling them to develop a product that fits their service requirements.

'Taking forward the farmer's potatoes'

Dave Lee, partner in family farm W Lee & Co, who grows frying potatoes for direct sale to fish and chip shops said: "It’s been extremely interesting to see the whole supply chain, starting with the farmer’s input right through to the food service industry end customer.

"It’s been especially great to see how they can utilise and take forward the farmer’s potatoes in such a range of products."

On McCain’s second year hosting for the programme, Mr Stubbings said: "It’s been absolutely fantastic having the Next Generation back with us today. I’m really proud to be able to showcase McCain and what we do.

"It’s great to be involved in an initiative that seeks to boost the future outlook for our industry through this kind of learning from each other. It’s how we can really drive our potato industry forward."

The group continue their learning in July and August with visits to International Procurement & Logistics Limited in Cambridgeshire and AHDB’s SPot Farm West, Staffordshire.