One of Grimsby’s leading fish processors has reported growing volumes.
Hilton Seafood, formerly Seachill but now part of the FTSE-listed Hilton Food Group, has also documented the increasing switch from wet fish sales to chiller operations under the likes of principal customer Tesco.
In a trading update covering the start of the year, ahead of today’s annual meeting, the Huntingdon company said: “Trading has been in line with the board's expectations following a strong start to the year with momentum continuing in a number of markets.”
Beef-focused Hilton swooped for Seachill in 2017 as it approached 20 years of retail service, with the firm diversifying its protein offering.
Launched to deal primarily with Tesco as a controversial executive spin-out of what is now Young’s Seafood, Seachill was for a long period in Icelandic ownership, brought together with Coldwater.
Last year it delivered a sales hike of 8.3 per cent, with turnover hitting £332.4 million and the number of permanent employees topping 1,000 for the first time.
That growth hasn’t abated in 2020/21.
In the City update a spokesperson said: “In Europe, we have made good progress, where demand for our products has increased due to most of the European markets being subject to restrictions and home consumption continuing, although we have continued to incur Covid-related costs in these markets.
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“In the 海角视频, red meat business turnover has grown strongly relative to last year.
“In Hilton Seafood, we have grown volumes and continue to see a shift from counter sales to centrally packed products.”
As reported, strategic shifts from wet fish sales have been made in many supermarkets, with chilled pre-packed fish favoured.
Plans to double the size of the original factory remain on the table on Great Grimsby Business Park, with major additions to the former Coldwater site on South Humberside Industrial Estate also now bedded in after winning further contracts with Tesco and Waitrose.
The spokesperson added: “The group's financial position remains strong, having put in place committed facilities to cover announced expansion plans. Hilton continues to explore opportunities in which to invest and to grow the business both domestically and in overseas markets and we are also exploring a number of growth options with our existing customers.”
Half year results are anticipated in September.