Danish fish producer Vega Salmon's new fish processing plant will be based in Handewitt, Germany. (Photo: Vega Salmon/ FIS)

Danish fish producer expands into Germany

GERMANY
Friday, June 04, 2010, 01:20 (GMT + 9)

Danish fish producer Vega Salmon has chosen northern Germany as the location for its new fish processing plant. The company in Handewitt, Schleswig-Holstein, entails an investment of EUR 12 million and is expected to begin operations next year.

Germany Trade & Invest and the Business Development, Technology Transfer Corporation of Schleswig-Holstein and WiREG, the economic and regional development agency of Flensburg/Schleswig, have supported the company with its new investment and assisted with its plans to expand to Handewitt.

Vega Salmon GmbH is the German subsidiary of the privately owned Vega Salmon Group, which specialises in smoked fish -- particularly salmon, trout and halibut.

The group generates a yearly EUR 31 million in revenues with products that chiefly target retail markets.

Nearly EUR 3 million in state and European Union (EU) funding will support the new investment. The company is receiving generous incentives in response to its contribution to regional economic development and European fisheries.

Vega Salmon Group holds its headquarters in Esbjerg, Denmark, and runs an additional production plant in Sølvesbjerg, Sweden. The new facility in Handewitt is the company’s first investment outside of Scandinavia; it is expected to create 120 new jobs.

The food and beverage industry in Germany attracts international companies. The country’s central location also allows it to easily reach the markets of Eastern and Western Europe.

Last year, industry revenues neared EUR 150 billion with more than EUR 39.3 billion of goods exported. The year showed a positive trend in the fish sector, as demonstrated by new investments by Polish Inter Marine and Japanese Nomura Trading, also investors in Germany.

Vega Salmon Group is a limited company owned solely by Roald Vedelgart, a longtime player in the industry. The company does business with wholesalers, retailers, catering services, and other clientele.

The firm’s products are sold only as private label and the Group assures they are all produced under strict internal controls and the HACCP system.

By Natalia Real
[email protected]
www.seafood.media

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