As a result of a EUR 294,013 (USD 420,000) modernization grant from the Andalucía regional government, Malaga-based canned, smoked and salted seafood producer Ubago Group has embarked on a major expansion program and improved production processes.
The company is investing EUR 1,259,000 (USD 1,795,101), of which EUR 980,000 (USD 1,397,326) is eligible for the 30 percent grant.
Modernization of its facilities will see the acquisition of machinery, including a smoker dryer, saddle, poly-clip stapler, slicer, closing machine, sheet trays introducer, new molds for new formats, weight labeler, an X-ray system, a triple product line, 40 transport trolleys and smoker, and 120 truck trays.
The investment allows for higher quality treatment of products, greater efficiencies and increased production using the most advanced technological equipment, and puts Ubago in a leading position within the canned, smoked and salted seafood sector with predicted 11 percent growth this year.
On delivering the grant to company founder Jaime Martínez de Ubago, Andalusian government delegate Remedios Martel and fisheries department representative Mónica Bermúdez welcomed the power they had to aid a thriving company, highlighting “the importance of family businesses such as Ubago, which have not ceased to grow and invest in Andalucía, and specifically in Málaga and Gibraltar since 1953 when Ubago established a factory for products such as canned mackerel, frigate mackerel and tasty krill.”
Continuing, Martel praised Ubago for “maintaining a policy of steady, prudent company growth. That’s why, in the last 10 years, it’s gone from 96 employees to a workforce of 700 people, which is an example that deserves the recognition of Andalusian society, Cádiz and Málaga.”
Mónica Bermúdez added: “Ubago has evolved from the traditional preserves of smoked, salted fish and cod to aquaculture, producing mussels on the Andalusian coast. They are already internationalized and their investments have generated significant wealth in the area, creating jobs directly and indirectly, and making Spain known worldwide for our traditional, native Andalusian products, achieving high market acceptance to become a symbol of Andalusian product quality.”
