John Keeler & Co. (Blue Star Foods) of Miami, Fla., USA, has acquired Sigma International, a leading importer of pasteurized red-swimming crabmeat from China.
Founded in May 1978 by Tony Huang, St. Petersburg, Fla.-based Sigma International is recognized throughout the food industry as red-swimming crabmeat import specialist.
“We are very excited to broaden our expansion initiatives with the synergistic acquisition of Sigma International,” said Blue Star Foods CEO John R. Keeler. “This expansion positions Blue Star Foods as one of the largest importers of Chinese pasteurized crabmeat with a robust supply chain — enhancing our core competencies and long-standing commitment to maintaining our status as America's Premiere Crabmeat provider."
The cash transaction became effective 1 January 2015. The entire staff of Sigma is being retained. Sigma VP Anita Layton will become supply chain director for Blue Star Foods.
Blue Star processes its crabmeat in more than a dozen plants throughout Southeast Asia, employing thousands with production capacity approaching 10 million pounds annually. Its products are distributed in the United States, Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Singapore, EUA and Hong Kong.
