The company publishes its Annual Corporate Social Responsibility Report, highlighting progress toward Mission 31, its strategic initiative to double the size of its business by 2031.
US-based company Pacific Seafood announced a few days ago that it has taken a significant step in its strategy to expand into the European Union (EU) market, which it has entered with its first office, located in Hamburg, Germany. The Clackamas, Oregon, US-based aquaculture and fisheries company has appointed Stephan Kleemeyer to head the new Hamburg office.
“Establishing a physical presence in Europe allows us to better serve these existing customers and cultivate long-term partnerships,” Ashton Meier, Pacific Seafoods‘ vice president of processing, told Just Food, noting that the company already supplies retail and foodservice customers within the EU. He added: “Establishing a permanent presence in Europe is a bold, but natural, step in our growing global presence.”
Founded in 1941 by Frank Dulcich, Pacific Seafood manages all aspects of the seafood supply chain, from harvesting and fishing to processing and distribution.
Responsible for Driving Development in the EU
Kleemeyer will bring extensive experience in the fishing industry: among other senior positions, he was general manager of Trident Seafoods’ European operations, overseeing the Pickenpack business in Riepe, Germany. In his new role, he will be responsible for driving business development across the EU, focusing on strengthening partnerships with existing customers and identifying new avenues for growth.
“Stephan’s extensive experience and strong relationships in the region make him the ideal person to help us deliver even greater value to our European partners,” said Meier.
But this step by the company is just the first of an ambitious path: deepening the company’s presence in the European market: “While Hamburg represents Pacific Seafood‘s first European location, we are actively exploring opportunities to further invest in vertically integrated fishing, processing and distribution businesses.”
As the executive explained in a press release, these strategic investments seek to “strengthen our European presence and enhance the value proposition and diverse product range we offer to both our valued customers and consumers.”
Pacific Seafood‘s product portfolio includes wild whitefish, cold water shrimp, salmon and aquaculture products such as rainbow trout and oysters, plus a wide range of value-added products.
Stronger Together
Some weeks before the announcement, Pacific Seafood released its eighth annual Corporate Social Responsibility Report, ‘Stronger Together.’ The 2024 report highlights the company’s ambitious efforts to grow responsibly and sustainably, reflecting a year of progress toward Mission 31, Pacific Seafood’s strategic initiative to double the size of its business by 2031.
The report outlines bold advancements made in the first year of Mission 31, including the acquisition of new processing operations in Kodiak, Alaska; expansion of value-added production in Washington and Texas; and the rollout of a nationwide salmon program. For them, these milestones represent more than growth: “they create opportunities for team members, strengthen the company’s support for local fleets, and make sustainable seafood more accessible than ever,” they said.
This year’s theme, “Stronger Together,” reflects Pacific Seafood’s philosophy of excellence: consistently doing your best and always striving to do “better—together” with team members, partners, and communities. The report includes aspects of the work like “Supporting Our Team Members”, Sustainability and the Environment, Value Creation and “Quality and Supporting Our Communities.”
Among other things, they highlight that Pacific Seafood increased its certified sustainable species offering to a total of 73; that the company is also only one that is certified to offer 4-star BAP oysters and steelhead in the world; and, after learning from global leaders in Denmark, Pacific Seafood began working with local governments and community partners to map resource flows and identify opportunities to convert waste into usable materials for other industries.
Another great achievement: 100% Fish Utilization Goal. The company is dedicated to expanding the use of each species they process by transforming bones, skin, and shells, into usable products. This process prevented more than 49 million of pounds of waste from entering US landfills in 2024.
