Innovative Technology Helps Local Fish Processing Company Stay Competitive
News release
Federal government investment supports equipment upgrades at Icewater Seafoods Inc.
July 6, 2018 – Arnold’s Cove (NL) – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Competing successfully in international markets means local companies need to innovate, modernize and offer high quality goods and services. Through an investment from the Government of Canada, Icewater Seafoods Inc. adapted innovative cod processing technology to improve competitiveness and maintain work for approximately 200 full- and part-time employees in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Member of Parliament for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), today announced a provisionally repayable investment of $2.625 million from ACOA’s Business Development Program (BDP) for Icewater Seafoods Inc. Churence Rogers, Member of Parliament for Bonavista-Burin-Trinity, also participated in today’s announcement.
Icewater Seafoods Inc. is a local, family-owned company, which primarily exports its products to premium markets in Europe. Icewater is the only processor in North America dedicated full-time to Atlantic cod production. This investment enabled the company to adapt and install leading-edge groundfish technology to modernize its Arnold’s Cove plant, which was built in 1979.
Icewater Seafoods Inc. worked with German-based Baadar Group to use its European system as a base for a custom, state-of-the-art integrated solution adapted to process cod. The upgrades are expected to increase the quality of cod processed at the plant with finer cuts and higher value yield. As a result, the company will operate a more efficient, sustainable, quality-oriented production facility.
This investment supports the Atlantic Growth Strategy, one way the Government of Canada is working to achieve its Innovation and Skills Plan outcomes in this region by helping ensure everyone has the jobs, skills and learning to seize new opportunities and succeed in a growing innovation economy.
Quotes
“The Government of Canada is committed to helping connect Canadian businesses with global customers, supply chains and technologies, which creates good jobs and economic growth at home. This investment in Icewater Seafoods supports an export-focussed business which is integrating innovative technology to fuel growth.”
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
“Our province’s history, culture and traditions are tied to the fishery, which continues to evolve to meet the demands of this competitive, international industry. Through this investment, the Government of Canada proudly supports Icewater Seafoods, which is committed to upgrading its operation and strengthening its roots in this community.”
- The Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Member of Parliament for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl
“Local companies such as Icewater Seafoods are important drivers of economic growth and employment in this region. This investment is helping the company to modernize and remain competitive in world markets, which will maintain jobs in this region and continue to provide access to markets for inshore harvesters.”- Churence Rogers, Member of Parliament for Bonavista-Burin-Trinity
“We compete with the best cod plants in Iceland and Norway so our customers demand a premium product from world-class operations. This new Baader filleting and skinning equipment is an important part of maintaining our reputation for delivering on those expectations. We have already seen an improvement in the texture and the new equipment allows us to fillet larger fish.”
- Alberto Wareham, CEO, Icewater Seafoods Inc.
Contacts
Paul McGrath
Director, Communications
ACOA NL
709-772-2984
Paul.McGrath@canada.ca
Sarah Fleming
Icewater Seafoods Inc.
709-725-5830
sarah@covepublicaffairs.ca