Fish firm French connection could net jobs for Ross
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A DINGWALL-based fish processing firm taken over by new French owners hopes to increase its local workforce in a deal heralding "a really exciting time".
Merinvest, the French parent company of MerAlliance, a key player in the European salmon processing industry, is the new owner of the Edinburgh Salmon Company (ESCo), which is based in Dingwall.
ESCo's Colin Burke told the Ross-shire Journal the company currently employs around 300 people "and only have plans to increase this figure over the next 6 – 12 months".
Asked about any anticipated changes regarding the local set-up of the company, he said: "We are opening a new raw salmon facility at the end of June with the aim of increasing turnover by a further 40 per cent over the next 36 months.
"We will continue as usual with our UK activities but hope to export some of our smoked salmon products to the wider Europe with the help of the new parent company's sales force."
ESCo currently supplies major retailers, including Asda.
In a statement, the new owner said it had takenover as of April 5.
Merinvest claims a turnover in excess of £75m with businesses in France (Amoric S.A.S and Narvik S.A.S) and also Poland with MerAlliance Poland. It has 550 employees. With the addition of The Edinburgh Salmon Company (ESCo), turnover will increase beyond £110m and over 800 employees.
The statement said: "This latest acquisition is a key strategic move along the road to Merinvest achieving its goal of becoming the Europeanleader in the private label market for smoked and marinated fish/seafood sold through retailers.
"The Strategic alignment of ESCo and its major customers will not be affected by this change but it is envisaged that this will provide the opportunity for ESCo products to be marketed in ‘wider’ Europe and for sister company products to be offered to existing ESCo customers.
"There are many more synergies this change will bring not least major benefits in procurement and efficiencies.
"ESCo has experienced major growth over the past few years and this change of ownership will help in the next stage of its ambitious growth plans."
