Lutosa Inaugurates High Capacity Potato Processing Line

Potato processor Lutosa SA inaugurated a new potato fry line at its fully integrated plant in Leuze-en-Hainaut, Belgium, on October 17. With capacity to process 25 to 30 tons per hour, the line provides employment for 59 people working three shifts. The total investment was EUR100m, according to the local press.

The installation features many add-ons to premises. Among them are a new unloading, washing and grading station that provides jobs for 54 working in five shifts; a dry store with 4,400 pallet locations for foil and cardboard boxes; another warehouse for the storage of 800 ingredient pallets; and an extra conveyor tunnel connecting the plant to the cold stores.

All this comes on top of investments made in 2017 for two new specialty lines employing 56 people in four shifts. These lines produce a wide variety of mash-based items and shredded specialties.

The company, a member of McCain Continental Europe with roots in the potato trade dating back to 1935, has been active in the frozen sector since 1978.

Present at the ceremony were Christian Brotcorne, the mayor of Leuze, Max Koeune, president and CEO of McCain Foods, Erwin Pardon, managing director McCain Continental Europe, Alain Duranleau, managing director of Lutosa SA and Guy Van den Broeke, who founded Lutosa in 1978.