Luke’s Lobster is taking on lobster processing for Inland Lobster, both companies have confirmed to SeafoodSource.
Luke’s Lobster first opened its own seafood purchasing and production business in Saco, Maine, U.S.A. in 2013, has been expanding steadily and operates restaurants across the U.S. Inland Lobster is a division of Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.-based Inland Foods, which recently rebranded from Inland Seafoods.
According to a release, Inland Lobster will move to focus on its live lobster sourcing and selling business, which supplies the Inland Food’s distribution centers and customers in the U.S. The company will also provide Luke Lobster with live lobsters from its buying stations in Maine and its live shipping facility in South Portland, Maine.
Luke’s Lobster will in turn take on Inland Lobster’s processing to produce lobster products for both companies at Luke’s current facility in Saco, Maine.
Luke's Lobster Co-Founder Luke Holden told SeafoodSource that the move comes as Inland Lobster is closing its seafood production facility in Maine.
"We are increasing our own production to support their lobster needs," Holden said. "There are a few people over the years at Inland who have looked after the Luke's team and the Holden family, and we're happy to return the favor."
The two companies called the move a strategic realignment that will focus on their respective strengths.
"Very few companies have worked as closely in the lobster industry as Inland and Luke's,” the two companies said. “Both companies are focused on the areas they excel most as they continue to serve their customers and the Maine lobster fishing community."
Luke’s Lobster and Inland Lobster added that Scout Wuerthner, who was in charge of Inland Lobster’s processing operations – and is also Holden’s uncle – is joining Luke’s Lobster as the director of sales and procurement.
"The Luke's Lobster team is thrilled to have Scout Wuerthner join their team, where he brings unparalleled industry expertise and reputation," the companies said.
Wuerthner recently petitioned the state of Maine for support to rebuild some of the wharves Inland Foods operates in Maine that were damaged in a storm in January 2024. The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden recently approved disaster declarations for states in the Northeastern U.S., granting USD 10 million (EUR 9.2 million) to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to renovate and repair infrastructure. The state of Maine has made USD 25 million (EUR 23 million) available to fund repairs, local media reported.
In his letter to state officials, Wuerthner said that the company would need between USD 400,000 and USD 600,000 (EUR 369,000 and EUR 554,000) to get the wharfs fully operational. It also revealed that Inland’s corporate board was considering selling some of its property in Maine if it did not receive aid, as it “does not currently see a profitable future in Maine” if faced with those additional costs, as its lobster business had “marginal profitability over the past 10 years.”
According to the letter, Inland purchased 2.7 million pounds of lobster off of its owned wharves and an additional 2.1 million pounds from co-op and dealer partners in 2023. It also processed 3 million pounds of lobster at its South Portland facility.
