Marubeni Takes 85% Stake in Welmar Europe
Based in south of Rotterdam, in H.I. Ambacht, Holland, Welmar specializes in the importation, sales…Based in south of Rotterdam, in H.I. Ambacht, Holland, Welmar specializes in the importation, sales and distribution of North Pacific fishery products ranging from halibut and sole to wild-caught salmon, cod and pollock blocks and fillets. It has a sourcing division in Seattle, and partner relationships with Fjord Import of Boulogne sur Mer, France, and Pick Fisk of Leeds, England, and China Starfish Co., Ltd. of Qingdao, China.
Marubeni, which bought a Bristol Bay salmon plant from North Pacific Seafoods last December, is employing an acquisition strategy to increase sales in Europe, America and China. The aim is to double overall turnover by 2015. In Europe, it will accelerate marketing of sliced and canned salmon from Alaska, as well as farm-raised shrimp from Thailand and Indonesia.
Welmar Europe, which has established sales networks throughout Europe's main seafood and fish consuming markets, rang up sales last year of approximately ¥8 billion (80.7 million euros). The Marubeni Group reportedly acquired 85% of the Dutch firm's outstanding shares from its founder, Eddy Koppers.
