Portland, Maine, U.S.A.-based supplier Bristol Seafood has invested in new equipment and technologies for its growing groundfish business, the company announced on 8 March.
The new equipment and technology “will bring a new level of quality, consistency, and precision” to Bristol’s products, the company said. The investment will increase processing capacity for Bristol and give the firm new capabilities, including precision grading of portions and fillets, custom processing, and custom batching.
"Bristol Seafood has its heritage in groundfish processing, and today is the largest importer-processor of line-caught Norwegian haddock in America" Bristol President and CEO Peter Handy said. "This investment and partnership with Marel gives us new capabilities that will bring our customers unmatched quality, consistency, precision, and customization. Today this is particularly relevant given the growing interest in sourcing U.S.-produced haddock and cod."
The new equipment was developed and installed by Icelandic processing machinery provider Marel, the company's sales business manager, Magnus Olason, said.
"Our aim is always to help our customers improve their efficiencies and yields in a market which is now changing at a faster pace than ever," Olason said. "It fills us with pride when companies like Bristol Seafood choose to work together with us to continuously improve the quality of their product and product offerings. We look forward to a long relationship between Marel and Bristol Seafood – a relationship where we can grow together."
In line with its investment into its processing capabilities, Bristol is also launching a retail line of Marine Stewardship Council-certified cod and haddock portions processed in the United States at the firm’s Portland facility. The company also processes its new My Fish Dish line in its Maine-based plant.
Last year, the United States imported 170 million pounds of haddock and cod – equivalent to 680 million servings – that was caught in the North Atlantic or Alaska and subsequently shipped to China for processing, then shipped back to the U.S. for consumption.
In late February, Bristol debuted a new line of Grab & Go seafood offerings under its My Fish Dish brand, as well as a wild-caught coldwater shrimp addition to the My Fish Dish line, and new flavors including Lemon & Pesto Butter, Sweet Chili, and Garlic & Herb.
