Royal Greenland’s investment in Quinlan Bros. Ltd. has been approved by the provincial government, despite concerns by a Canadian union and erroneous media reports, Quinlan said.
Even though the Fish Food & Allied Workers Union called for “an immediate halt” to the acquisition of Quinlan Brothers by Royal Greenland; Bay de Verde, Newfoundland, Canada-based Quinlan said the partnership is moving ahead.
“Our partner, Royal Greenland, is investing with Robert Quinlan to build a new partnership in Quinlan Brothers Limited,” Quinlan said in a press release. “Both, collectively, share a vision of joint ownership and control that will secure a strong future and growth that will enhance the commitment of Quinlan Brothers Limited to its employees, suppliers, and communities.”
Robert Quinlan has decided to remain an owner and invest further by facilitating the retirement of his father, Wayne, Quinlan said. After co-founder Patrick Quinlan died in 2017, executives recognized that his partners, Wayne Quinlan and Donald Quinlan, have “progressed well into their retirement years,” Quinlan said.
“In response to this challenge, our initial thought was to sell the company outright. This is the perception in the public today that we seek to correct,” Quinlan added.
There is also concern that Royal Greenland is owned by the government of Greenland, VOCM reported.
However, Quinlan said it shared its vision and plans with the Provincial Licensing Board and “complied with all the regulatory requirements to obtain Government approval.”
“We are appreciative of the support and decision of our Government to approve our application,” Quinlan added.
FFAW has been fighting the Royal Greenland investment for months.
“The purchase of Quinlan Brothers by Royal Greenland creates the largest processing company in the history of this province, in terms of percentage of the processing sector under its control,” FFAW President Keith Sullivan in a press release. “The elimination of Quinlan Brothers as competition means that three large processing companies now control approximately 75 percent of all fish processing in the province, and close to 85 percent of the lucrative shellfish processing in the province.”
Following the devastating fire at its Bay de Verde facility in 2016, the company constructed an “ultra-modern” seafood processing facility there.
“These decisions and the actions of our owners demonstrate our long-standing commitment to our presence in the NL fishery for our employees, suppliers, and community,” Quinlan said.
Quinlan Brothers commitment remains unchanged and it will continue to “serve its interest as a productive local business with strong local roots in Newfoundland and Labrador,” the company said. “We will continue to secure local employment. And we will continue to develop and maintain the relationships that have served our business for decades.”
