Canadian seafood company Cooke is set to close a facility in the US state of Massachusetts by the end of May. The Cooke US subsidiary, True North Seafood, plans to shut down its New Bedford site. The decision comes as part of a strategic move to consolidate operations and optimize capacity.
True North Seafood will be relocating its operations to its sister plant at Wanchese Fish Company, based in Virginia. This shift will allow the company to better serve its customers by leveraging the modern processing plant and cold storage facility at Wanchese Fish Company.
The New Bedford facility currently employs 58 staff members and has contracts with 36 contract workers. This closure is part of Cooke’s broader strategy to streamline its operations and enhance efficiency. Cooke, headquartered in New Brunswick, Canada, operates manufacturing facilities across various regions, including the US, South America, Europe, and Australia.
When approached for comment, Cooke declined to provide further details on the reasons behind the closure of the New Bedford facility. The company had acquired the site as part of its acquisition of Mariner Seafood in 2020.
Over the past year, Cooke has been actively expanding its presence in the seafood industry through strategic acquisitions. These include the purchase of US seafood business Slade Gorton and two acquisitions in August 2022 – Belgian shrimp company Morubel and a deal with Tassal. These moves are in line with Cooke’s efforts to strengthen its position in the food and beverage industry and capitalize on emerging consumer trends.
In conclusion, Cooke’s decision to close its New Bedford facility reflects the company’s commitment to operational efficiency and strategic growth. As the food and drink business landscape evolves, Cooke is positioning itself to remain competitive and meet the changing needs of consumers in the global market.
