Seafood business expands northern footprint

ASSOCIATED Seafoods, trading as Lossie Seafoods and Moray Seafoods has expanded its base in Buckie, Moray enabling business innovation and job creation following a £2.7 million funding package from Royal Bank of Scotland.

After acquiring both Lossie and Moray Seafoods in 2010, Associated Seafoods consolidated the businesses into one location at Low Street leaving March Road for storage. Now, thanks to steady business growth and demand from UK, North American and most recently Australasian partners, the premium seafoods specialist has refurbished and expanded the original Lossie Seafoods factory with state-of-the art equipment and proud green credentials.

The investment has enabled 40 new job opportunities within the business, which has long supported the local economy and continues to be one of the largest employers in Moray. A further 60 roles are to be created over the next three years. This will include encouraging new people into the industry with a further cohort of modern apprenticeships after the success of five recent placements for under 21-year-olds.

Victor West, Managing Director at Associated Seafoods, said: “Our business ethos has always been to establish and nurture strong partnerships with businesses, suppliers and traders, and that’s exactly what we have with Royal Bank of Scotland. Thanks to its financial backing and advice we’ve been able to make further strides in our ambitious growth plans.

“We are proud of our heritage in Buckie and it’s fantastic to regenerate the March Road site which enhances our production of quality Scottish Smoked Salmon and creates opportunities to develop young talent within our industry.”

Eileen Tocher, Relationship Director at Royal Bank of Scotland, said “Throughout our partnership with Associated Seafoods it has been fantastic to see their impressive vision played out, with turnover doubling in the last five years.  Now fully modernised, the second Lossie Seafoods factory in Buckie is ready to assist with current and future business expansion plans. It is always rewarding to support local businesses investing in their communities and we wish Victor, Stephen and the Buckie team the very best of luck in this new chapter.”