Trident Seafoods on Monday announced its plans to purchase Icicle Seafoods' analog surimi production plant in Bellingham, Wash.
The transaction is scheduled to close on 6 August. Other terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Trident said the move is part of its plan to expand its retail presence and provide high quality, sustainable seafood products to its customers.
"Trident has worked hard to grow our value-added business and expand our production capacity and our markets for value-added seafood," said Joe Bundrant, Trident executive VP. "Surimi seafood is quick and easy to prepare and is a natural extension of our 'Source to the Plate'® philosophy. Today's consumers want to know where their fish is coming from, and adding value to the fish we catch is the best way to fill that demand."
Trident entered the surimi seafood business in 1999 when it purchased the SEA LEGS® facility from Nicherei Foods of North America. In 2006, Trident expanded its surimi business into the retail sector and industrial business with the purchase of ConAgra's surimi business. The Louis Kemp® brand, along with Captain Jac® and other well-known regional brands, and the state-of-the-art Motley, Minn., processing facility were part of the purchase.
