2002 Fredericton Encaenia - Ceremony A
McCain, G. Wallace F.
Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.)
Orator: Patterson, Stephen E.
Citation:
ENCAENIA, MAY, 2002
G. WALLACE F. MCCAIN
to be Doctor of Letters
Wallace McCain is one of Canada's most successful businessmen. We identify him with Florenceville where he grew up and went to school, and with rural Carleton County where, like other youth of his time and neighbourhood, he dug potatoes and did farm chores. His grandfather and father were successful potato exporters, but in Wallace's family, hard work was expected. His mother and father instilled in him a work ethic and a powerful attachment to the simple values of their rural community. They are values that have served him well.
He touched base very briefly at UNB before completing his university education at our sister college, Mount Allison. For a brief time, he worked in the hardware business for K.C. Irving, where though still in his 20s, he is said to have impressed Mr. Irving himself as a potential manager. Mr. Irving was right, except that the managerial side was to blossom back in the family business. With a bit of financial help from the government of Hugh John Flemming, he helped create a fledgling frozen food business, and the rest, as they say, is history. They say that you can't get blood out of a rock; but it is truly astounding what the McCains managed to squeeze out of the lowly potato. Beginning with French fries and then branching into numerous other frozen food lines, they built an international giant with plants in every part of the world and annual sales that eventually topped a billion dollars. Wallace McCain's forte was his close attention to detail. He toured plants elsewhere to learn how he might cut costs, focusing on productivity while leaving to others the more public aspects of the business. The result was one of Canada's greatest success stories.
To help build one great company is only a dream for most people; for Wallace McCain, one success has led to another. In 1995, in partnership with the Ontario Teachers Pension Fund, he acquired control of Maple Leaf Foods, another food giant but, in fact, a very different kind of business. From his Toronto headquarters, Wallace McCain has been transforming a good company into a high achiever, trimming down to the most profitable lines, expanding capacity especially in the pork products area, and focusing on productivity where his knowledge and business acumen had already served him well. With the help of his sons, Michael and Scott, he is building Maple Leaf into another international high-flier in the agri-food business.
The way to the top, as Mr. McCain will readily acknowledge, is not always easy. Business requires tough decisions, and tensions and disappointments accompany success and achievement. For Wallace McCain, however, there has always been the sheet anchor of his family, the love and support of his wife and children, and the deep affection of hundreds of people in Florenceville and beyond who, in one way or another, have been touched by his unpretentious humanity, generosity, and attachment to the shared values of rural life. The word that describes it is community: you can take Wallace McCain out of the community, but you never take the community out of the man.
For his many achievements and humanitarian interests, Wallace McCain has been much honoured. The Friends of We Care Inc. presented him with their humanitarian award in 1992. In 1995, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. In 1999, he received the B'nai Brith Award of Merit. He has been recognized by universities, governments, and business organizations. He does not seek honours or expect thanks for his many achievements and contributions. But of all the people UNB might honour, he is especially deserving. He helped build one of New Brunswick's most successful businesses, putting his hometown of Florenceville on the map, and providing employment to thousands and prosperity to a region. He graciously stood back when his wife served the province with great distinction as its Lieutenant Governor. He and she have left an indelible mark on this province for which many feel the deepest gratitude. It is a privilege for us at the provincial University to be able to express that gratitude today.
Your commitment to New Brunswick is not forgotten, Mr. McCain. We salute you for your brilliant international success in the food business, for your innovative contributions in nurturing two great companies, for your interest in humanitarian causes, and for your enduring dedication to the province of your birth and the simple rural values of Carleton County.
From: Honoris Causa - UA Case 70, Box 4
G. WALLACE F. MCCAIN
to be Doctor of Letters
Wallace McCain is one of Canada's most successful businessmen. We identify him with Florenceville where he grew up and went to school, and with rural Carleton County where, like other youth of his time and neighbourhood, he dug potatoes and did farm chores. His grandfather and father were successful potato exporters, but in Wallace's family, hard work was expected. His mother and father instilled in him a work ethic and a powerful attachment to the simple values of their rural community. They are values that have served him well.
He touched base very briefly at UNB before completing his university education at our sister college, Mount Allison. For a brief time, he worked in the hardware business for K.C. Irving, where though still in his 20s, he is said to have impressed Mr. Irving himself as a potential manager. Mr. Irving was right, except that the managerial side was to blossom back in the family business. With a bit of financial help from the government of Hugh John Flemming, he helped create a fledgling frozen food business, and the rest, as they say, is history. They say that you can't get blood out of a rock; but it is truly astounding what the McCains managed to squeeze out of the lowly potato. Beginning with French fries and then branching into numerous other frozen food lines, they built an international giant with plants in every part of the world and annual sales that eventually topped a billion dollars. Wallace McCain's forte was his close attention to detail. He toured plants elsewhere to learn how he might cut costs, focusing on productivity while leaving to others the more public aspects of the business. The result was one of Canada's greatest success stories.
To help build one great company is only a dream for most people; for Wallace McCain, one success has led to another. In 1995, in partnership with the Ontario Teachers Pension Fund, he acquired control of Maple Leaf Foods, another food giant but, in fact, a very different kind of business. From his Toronto headquarters, Wallace McCain has been transforming a good company into a high achiever, trimming down to the most profitable lines, expanding capacity especially in the pork products area, and focusing on productivity where his knowledge and business acumen had already served him well. With the help of his sons, Michael and Scott, he is building Maple Leaf into another international high-flier in the agri-food business.
The way to the top, as Mr. McCain will readily acknowledge, is not always easy. Business requires tough decisions, and tensions and disappointments accompany success and achievement. For Wallace McCain, however, there has always been the sheet anchor of his family, the love and support of his wife and children, and the deep affection of hundreds of people in Florenceville and beyond who, in one way or another, have been touched by his unpretentious humanity, generosity, and attachment to the shared values of rural life. The word that describes it is community: you can take Wallace McCain out of the community, but you never take the community out of the man.
For his many achievements and humanitarian interests, Wallace McCain has been much honoured. The Friends of We Care Inc. presented him with their humanitarian award in 1992. In 1995, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. In 1999, he received the B'nai Brith Award of Merit. He has been recognized by universities, governments, and business organizations. He does not seek honours or expect thanks for his many achievements and contributions. But of all the people UNB might honour, he is especially deserving. He helped build one of New Brunswick's most successful businesses, putting his hometown of Florenceville on the map, and providing employment to thousands and prosperity to a region. He graciously stood back when his wife served the province with great distinction as its Lieutenant Governor. He and she have left an indelible mark on this province for which many feel the deepest gratitude. It is a privilege for us at the provincial University to be able to express that gratitude today.
Your commitment to New Brunswick is not forgotten, Mr. McCain. We salute you for your brilliant international success in the food business, for your innovative contributions in nurturing two great companies, for your interest in humanitarian causes, and for your enduring dedication to the province of your birth and the simple rural values of Carleton County.
From: Honoris Causa - UA Case 70, Box 4
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