Eddie M’s announced has acquired and is merging with Minnetonka, Minnesota, U.S.A.-based American Fish and Seafood Inc.
Eddie M’s Owner and CEO Jordan Mazzetta said the newly formed joint company will now be based out of Eddie M’s Plymouth, Minnesota-based facility. The facility, which measures 65,000 square feet, will serve as the processing and distribution facility for customers of both companies.
American Fish and Seafood was founded in 1929 by the Bialick family, and since 1972 L.P. “Butch” Bialick has served as the president of the company.
“It was a pleasure to work with Butch Bialick to assure the continuity of American’s nearly 100-year history of servicing the Twin Cities with the finest seafood,” Mazzetta said. “We are excited to bring these two major Minnesota legacy seafood teams together to better serve the retail and food service organizations in the Midwest. The Eddie M’s Team is excited to welcome the many members of the American Fish team to our expanding seafood family.”
The acquisition is Eddie M’s second in the span of a year, after it acquired the distribution business of Morey’s Seafood International in December 2022. Morey’s itself was acquired by Rich Products in 2020.
L.P. Bialick said the move represented a new chapter for his company after 50 years in existence.
“I’ve always believed in giving back to the industry – you support those who support you – and it was important for me to leave my company in the hands of a group that shares that commitment. I believe I found it in Eddie M’s,” he said.
Mazzetta is a longtime seafood industry executive, having come from the Mazzetta Company, which was founded and is operated by his father, Tom Mazzetta. Jordan Mazzetta left the company in 2019 to start his own seafood-related business, was named the CEO of Atlantic Sustainable Catch before leaving that role in October 2022, and is also the CEO of Hudson Valley Fisheries.
Following the merger, Max Bialick will become a vice president at Eddie M’s and will oversee the company's combined sales team.
“I look forward to upholding AFSI’s tradition of quality and service and integrating it with the strong culture and capability of the Eddie M’s team,” Max Bialick said. “I’m excited to help lead the combined company and believe our collaboration will be a win for our customers, employees, and partners. This is an exciting day for the seafood business in Minnesota!”
According to Mazzetta, both Eddie M’s and AFSI’s customers will continue to receive the same core customer experiences they’ve had, and will soon have access to a wider assortment of products in both the retail and foodservice categories following the merger.
“Our doors are open to all of our customers, and we look forward to working with the American Fish customers and to having them come to visit, to get to know each other and to show them around our house,” Mazzetta said.
The exact terms and value of the acquisition were not disclosed.
Photo courtesy of American Fish & Seafood Inc.
