Canadian firm buys island factory

Macduff Shellfish's factory in Stornoway is to be taken over by Canadian-based Clearwater Seafoods.

Clearwater has entered into an agreement for 100% of the assets of the entire Macduff group.

In addition to the Stornoway plant - which is a significant buyer of local scallops and prawns - Peterhead-headquartered Macduff has factories in Mintlaw and Exeter.

It also owns and operates 14 mid-shore scallop harvesting vessels from its Dumfries facility.

The firm employs approximately 400 people at the seasonal peak, specialising in scallops, prawns, whelk and crab.

Macduffs operates the former Youngs Shellfish factory on Goat lsland which is purchased in September 2013.

Canadian firm buys island shellfish processor

9 October 2015

Nova Scotia-based Clearwater is one of North America’s largest seafood companies, employing approximately 1,400 people.

Under the £98.4 million Macduff - which is owned by the Beaton family and private equity fund, Change Capital Partners - will retain its name and operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Clearwater.

Euan Beaton, chairman of Macduff Shellfish, said: “This deal is great news for our operations in the UK, bringing investment and access to new markets within an extremely successful and respected business.

"It provides learning and development opportunities for our staff as we share best practice with Clearwater and it gives fishermen access to more markets.”

The deal is expected to be finalised by 30 October.