SeaBear Co. of Anacortes, Wash., yesterday announced that it has acquired GD Seafoods, d.b.a. Gerard & Dominique, of Woodinville, Wash. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Both privately held companies' specialty product is smoked salmon. Their combined distribution channels position the company for growth in the high-end niche market, said Mike Mondello, president and CEO of SeaBear Co., in a press release.
"Both the SeaBear and Gerard & Dominique brands are built on premium product quality, specialty niche marketing, and a deep passion for customer service," said Mondello. "This strong alignment of our core beliefs is what got us both interested in the potential of joining forces."
The company now combines Web and catalog direct-to-consumer sales with a roster of national retail and foodservice chains and high-end hotels and cruise lines. Retail customers include Whole Foods Market and QFC, among others.
SeaBear Co. now owns and manages three specialty niche consumer brands: SeaBear Seafood, Gerard & Dominique Seafood and Made In Washington stores, which focus on artisan gifts.
Dominique Place and wife ChouChou, who together owned GD Seafoods, will remain with the company as president and VP of sales, respectively. The SeaBear brand will continue to operate out of its Anacortes facility. The Gerard & Dominique brand, with its 20 employees, will continue to operate in Woodinville.
