URK – The Zalmhuys Group has further expanded its operations through the full acquisition of fish processor Baarssen Fish Processing, a transaction completed this week.
Harm ten Napel, director of the Zalmhuys Group, and Marten Poelman, former director of Baarssen Fish Processing, have confirmed the acquisition. Poelman was at the helm of the company, which together with Marine Foods in Scheveningen was owned by Baarssen Fish Processing, for the past several years.
A year ago, Baarssen Fish Processing announced an acquisition by Brands Fish, but this deal fell through due to the withdrawal of the financiers, Amsterdam-based CFT Solutions and foreign investors. Following this, the shareholders began looking for a new buyer. Brands Fish, led by brothers Hendrik and Jan Brands, remains involved in the production management of Baarssen Fish Processing.
Koen Verburg, from Anova Seafood in Den Bosch, has been appointed as the new managing director of Baarssen Fish Processing. The ZalmHuys Group previously acquired a strategic interest in Anova Seafood, which has now grown into a majority stake. Anova Seafood has long had (farmed) cod machine filleted and frozen at Baarssen Fish Processing, which employs about 150 people. Verburg indicated that the company’s existing policy will continue.
The Zalmhuys Group includes several subsidiaries, including Het Urker Zalmhuys, Affish, Affish Fresh, Zalmhuys Van Wijnen, Ocean Fish and Anova Seafood. Marten Poelman, who assumed the position of chairman of the Urk Fish Wholesalers Association (VVU) last March, will remain involved with Baarssen Fish Processing as an advisor.
Source: Fisheries News
