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Harrison McCainSingle-Minded Purpose |
eBook Available
The story of the man, his roots, his business genius, and how his company “went global” before globalization.
The only rival to Harrison McCain’s entrepreneurial success was his deep attachment to his Maritime roots. From McCain’s beginnings in Florenceville, New Brunswick, the early mentorship he received from K.C. Irving, to the global success of his corporate empire McCain Foods, Donald Savoie presents a compelling and candid biography of one of the most famous and down-to-earth figures in Canadian business history.
Savoie, a longtime friend to McCain, describes a driven, charismatic, and energetic man who had a keen wit and a deep commitment to his business and hometown. Through unprecedented access to McCain’s papers and interviews with family members, friends, and colleagues, Savoie details the decisions that McCain made alongside his brother and business partner, Wallace McCain, from the company’s humble beginnings to its expansion in Europe, Australia, India, and China. McCain saw the potential of globalization before others did. Despite conflict between the brothers and the eventual fracture of their partnership, Savoie presents the McCains’ dedication as so immersed in the development of their company that they had little time left for second-guessing.
At a time when New Brunswick struggles to reinvent itself economically, Savoie points to former government policies and programs that helped the company thrive and holds up the example of Harrison McCain with the hope of seeing Canadian success stories like this in the future.
Savoie, a longtime friend to McCain, describes a driven, charismatic, and energetic man who had a keen wit and a deep commitment to his business and hometown. Through unprecedented access to McCain’s papers and interviews with family members, friends, and colleagues, Savoie details the decisions that McCain made alongside his brother and business partner, Wallace McCain, from the company’s humble beginnings to its expansion in Europe, Australia, India, and China. McCain saw the potential of globalization before others did. Despite conflict between the brothers and the eventual fracture of their partnership, Savoie presents the McCains’ dedication as so immersed in the development of their company that they had little time left for second-guessing.
At a time when New Brunswick struggles to reinvent itself economically, Savoie points to former government policies and programs that helped the company thrive and holds up the example of Harrison McCain with the hope of seeing Canadian success stories like this in the future.
Details
Part of the Footprints Series (number 17 in series)
336 Pages
26 b&w images
ISBN 9780773543218
November 2013
Formats: Cloth, eBook
“In clear and engaging prose, Savoie describes McCain as part dynamo, part New Brunswick nationalist, and part business genius - a rare and remarkable mix of limitless ambition, unusual vision, indefatigable energy, and inspiring leadership.” Tony Tremblay, Canada Research Chair in New Brunswick Studies, St Thomas University
"Robert Chrismas is a thoughtful and engaged police officer, and he has produced a manuscript that is a very useful and commendable reflection upon the many mostly positive changes that have occurred in Canadian policing during the past 30 years." Literary Review of Canada
“Savoie, an expert in regional economic development, explains throughout the book how Harrison McCain was deeply invested in the success of his native New Brunswick [and] wonders if the success of McCain Foods can still be reproduced in eastern Canada. Savoie does an excellent job of putting the problems forward. This multifaceted book will appeal to a number of audiences. Business historians gain a book that adeptly confronts a number of different issues - entrepreneurship, strategy, family business and public policy. Canadian students of regional economics and public policy will benefit from the policy perspectives in the book. Business researchers will find an excellent in-depth work on a successful Canadian business and the family conflict that came about in the transition to the next generation. Similarly, scholars of entrepreneurship and strategy will find the book a rich source of case material. While the academic will appreciate Savoie's attention to detail, the book is engagingly written and will appeal to a general readership interested in the history of an iconic Canadian business.” Canadian Business History Association
“Family business researchers will find an excellent in-depth work on a successful Canadian business and the family conflict that came about in the transition to the next generation. Similarly, scholars of entrepreneurship and strategy will find the book a rich source of case material. While the academic will appreciate Savoie's attention to detail, the book is engagingly written and will appeal to a general readership interested in the history of an iconic Canadian business.” The Prospectus
"Robert Chrismas is a thoughtful and engaged police officer, and he has produced a manuscript that is a very useful and commendable reflection upon the many mostly positive changes that have occurred in Canadian policing during the past 30 years." Literary Review of Canada
“Savoie, an expert in regional economic development, explains throughout the book how Harrison McCain was deeply invested in the success of his native New Brunswick [and] wonders if the success of McCain Foods can still be reproduced in eastern Canada. Savoie does an excellent job of putting the problems forward. This multifaceted book will appeal to a number of audiences. Business historians gain a book that adeptly confronts a number of different issues - entrepreneurship, strategy, family business and public policy. Canadian students of regional economics and public policy will benefit from the policy perspectives in the book. Business researchers will find an excellent in-depth work on a successful Canadian business and the family conflict that came about in the transition to the next generation. Similarly, scholars of entrepreneurship and strategy will find the book a rich source of case material. While the academic will appreciate Savoie's attention to detail, the book is engagingly written and will appeal to a general readership interested in the history of an iconic Canadian business.” Canadian Business History Association
“Family business researchers will find an excellent in-depth work on a successful Canadian business and the family conflict that came about in the transition to the next generation. Similarly, scholars of entrepreneurship and strategy will find the book a rich source of case material. While the academic will appreciate Savoie's attention to detail, the book is engagingly written and will appeal to a general readership interested in the history of an iconic Canadian business.” The Prospectus
Donald J. Savoie holds the Canada Research Chair in Public Administration and Governance at l’Université de Moncton and is the author of Whatever Happened to the Music Teacher?: How Government Decides and Why and Power: Where Is It?
Preface ix
Illustrations begin on pages 57 and 195
Introduction 3
1 Roots Matter 14
2 Planting the Seeds 27
3 Getting a Job 44
4 Launching a Business on a Wing, a Prayer, and a Helping Hand from Government 69
5 Crazier Than Hell 91
6 Florenceville Conquers Europe 116
7 Fighting Down Under, in the United States, and on the Home Front 139
8 Governance: Someone Else’s Problem 159
9 The Conflict 173
10 Flying Solo 207
11 Politics and Public Policy 224
12 Family and Friends 246
13 Could There Be Another Harrison McCain? 264
Appendices
A Interviews 285
B McCain Foods Chronology (1956-1993) 287
C McCain Foods Chronology (1994-2004) 291
Notes 293
Index 317
Illustrations begin on pages 57 and 195
Introduction 3
1 Roots Matter 14
2 Planting the Seeds 27
3 Getting a Job 44
4 Launching a Business on a Wing, a Prayer, and a Helping Hand from Government 69
5 Crazier Than Hell 91
6 Florenceville Conquers Europe 116
7 Fighting Down Under, in the United States, and on the Home Front 139
8 Governance: Someone Else’s Problem 159
9 The Conflict 173
10 Flying Solo 207
11 Politics and Public Policy 224
12 Family and Friends 246
13 Could There Be Another Harrison McCain? 264
Appendices
A Interviews 285
B McCain Foods Chronology (1956-1993) 287
C McCain Foods Chronology (1994-2004) 291
Notes 293
Index 317
Finalist
National Business Book Award
(2014)
National Business Book Award
(2014)
