Japanese giant buys Grimsby processor

THE Japanese seafood giant Nissui has acquired a controlling interest in Flatfish, the award winning Grimsby based fish processing business.
Nissui is a worldwide leader in fish, particularly farmed salmon, with operations in Chile, where it owns a salmon and trout aquaculture business.
It also has extensive interests in the United States, and in Europe and the Nordic region.
The cost of the deal is not disclosed but it was carried out by Nissui’s European subsidiary. A statement said it had acquired 75 per cent of Flatfish.
Started in 1979 by Bob Stansfield and his son Steven, Flatfish is a family owned business which has expanded impressively in recent years and is recognised throughout the industry as one of the most forward thinking seafood processing companies in Europe.
By 1991, the business was wholly owned by Steven and in 2002 it acquired a derelict bakery site which came the focus for major expansion.
It has won many awards over the past two decades and was named seafood processor of the year in 2018. Its factory frequently hosts visits from seafood interests in the UK and overseas.
The company said it is passionate about promoting British fish and has customers in both the retail and food service sectors in the UK.
Nissui said the acquisition fitted with its strategy to strengthen its seafood supply chain in the UK following its acquisition of Sealord Caistor (formerly Sealord), near Grimsby, in 2017.
The statement added: ‘Through this acquisition, Nissui will further enhance synergies within its European operations in conjunction with Cite Marine and Nordic Seafood.’
Picture: Steven, Reece and Richard Stansfield with the Fish Processor of the Year Award 201 (Photo: Humber Business.com)