Bill Taylor is part of the executive management team at Taylor Shellfish Farms, a fifth-generation business based in Shelton, Washington. The company, which was founded in 1890, has grown over the decades to encompass shellfish farming operations for clams, geoduck, oysters and mussels.
SeafoodSource: What are the core business strategies or principles that have been the foundation of the company since its inception?
Taylor: We’re devoted to shellfish farming and we’re a family business. We feel strongly that it’s important to include people who work for us in a family atmosphere and make them part of the decision-making process.
Because of the nature of shellfish farming, we’ve been really involved in environmental issues – that has been part of our business for 80 years. We’ve tried to stop or at least limit pollution, which can affect our business. That means working on legislative issues. It’s critical to be involved. We’re in a small industry, but need to have a big voice to make sure water quality is improved or secured.
And we’re involved in the community. We work closely with our communities to help with the issues that affect us and to support jobs.
SeafoodSource: What do you consider to be your company’s greatest achievement so far?
Taylor: It’s the growth of our business. Since my brother and I came back from college, the business has really grown. We now have operations in several states, including Washington, Hawaii and California. We employ 700 people and supply a lot of good shellfish. It has been rewarding for me, my brother and my brother-in-law.
SeafoodSource: What are the keys to growth for Taylor Shellfish?
Taylor: Have faith in the future that there are market opportunities. We’ve adjusted our products as markets have changed. And our goal is to take some risk, but balance it with not overextending ourselves. You have to prepare yourself for change. From what I have experienced for the past 35 to 40 years, change will happen and you have to embrace it.
SeafoodSource: Are there any unique challenges or benefits from being a family-run business?
Taylor: In a family-run business there are challenges, but it’s also rewarding that you’re with your family. I grew up on a shellfish farm. This is a lifestyle; it’s how you live. It’s good to be able to continue that and pass it along to family and others who work for you. Right now we have six or seven of the children involved.
SeafoodSource: What has been the biggest challenge or challenges for your company over its long tenure?
Taylor: An ongoing business challenge has been water quality. We have people moving in and out, building development and construction, all of which has an impact. Ocean acidification has had an impact on shellfish larvae.
Permitting is another issue. As the shoreline has been developed, regulations at the county and state level have been designed to protect species using shore areas. We have a big regulatory challenge, especially with putting in new farms. This has taken up a lot of our time for the past 15 years.
Additionally, over the past 26 years, Washington state has been trying to better define the treaties with tribes in the Puget Sound area. Many years have been spent trying to determine their rights and how it affects our farms.
Then there’s just the daily challenge of doing farming and providing product to our customers. Because shellfish is a high-risk food, we’ve been involved with food standards that are protective of peoples’ health. That means working with the state U.S. Department of Health, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and others.
SeafoodSource: So what has been the key takeaway from these various challenges?
Taylor: To be involved all the time. Riding in at the last minute on an issue can work, but it’s better to be involved early and help direct those policies. Otherwise you’ll find yourself having to just live with those policies put into place.
SeafoodSource: Given the opportunity to address a room filled with your peers, what is the one nugget of wisdom you would want to share with them?
Taylor: It gets back to participating in the process, because things will happen and you want to be involved. And producing good products will gain you markets. Producing quality products is what we’ve always strived for.
