UK supermarket Morrisons has announced plans to launch its own seafood processing business to deliver quality fish into its stores.
The company will be acquiring an empty factory in Grimsby and equipping it for seafood production by the end of 2012, making the company the only major food retailer to source fish direct from the quayside and process it for sale across the country.
Around 200 jobs will be created at the Europa Business Park factory in Grimsby which will fillet and portion a wide variety of seafood.
Dalton Philips, chief executive of Morrisons, said: “This will deliver mouth-wateringly fresh fish into our stores. Nobody else is buying direct from the quayside but we’re doing it. Building this seafood business will allow us to move our fish from ‘catch to kitchen’ even more quickly, giving our customers fantastic quality seafood products at stunning prices.”
Morrisons has recruited industry experts to lead the business such as Frank Green, who was appointed head of seafood trading for Morrisons in January and was previously at Young’s. The factory in Grimsby will be run by Howard Sims, as managing director, and rob smith as Head of Operations.
Martyn Fletcher, group manufacturing director, said: “Manufacturing is a crucial part of our business so increasing our strength in this area is vital as Morrisons continues to grow.
“We are delighted to have Frank, Howard and Rob on board to run the business for us. They have a huge wealth of knowledge and collectively over 100 years of experience in the seafood industry and the food retail sector. They will be invaluable to the development of this site and an outstanding seafood business.”
Morrisons will also shortly appoint a fisheries and aquaculture specialist to further develop their credentials in sourcing and sustainability.
