Lake Charles, Louisiana, U.S.A.-based Gulf Island Shrimp and Seafood announced it has acquired Independence, Louisiana-based DoRan Seafood – a shrimp processor selling to the foodservice and retail industries.
Gulf Island Shrimp and Seafood procures Louisiana-style cuisine such as gumbos, etouffees, boudin, and more under its Big Easy Foods brand. The company currently sells and ships shrimp, catfish, and other prepared foods to stores across the U.S. and has three plants in Lake Charles and Dulac, Louisiana.
DoRan Seafood was founded 14 years ago by Randy Pearce, the company’s current president, and has grown to a 40-employee company processing shrimp at its “state-of-the-art” facility, according to Gulf Island.
“After working with Randy and his team for the last three years, we felt the time was right to combine our companies,” Gulf Island CEO Larry Avery said in a press release. “With buying, processing and logistics working together, we will be able to serve our customers better going forward.”
Pearce will join Gulf Island as the general manager of seafood. DoRan Production Manager Jeff Schwab will join Gulf Island as director of operations, and Hunter Pearce will join the company as assistant director. They in turn will report to Gulf Island Chief Operating Officer Scott Arrant, Gulf Island said.
“We are very excited for the future as we see a growing demand for the healthy domestic wild caught shrimp,” Avery said. “We will, as Randy has done in the past, continue to support the community of Independence and surrounding areas. We will be keeping all of DoRan’s employees and adding several good jobs in the future.”
Photo courtesy of Gulf Island Shrimp and Seafood
