SAN DIEGO (December 10, 2013) – Leading North America seafood company Bumble Bee Seafoods has announced the acquisition of high-quality frozen tuna company, Anova Food, LLC. Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., Anova Food is a leader in the global sourcing of wild-caught and farmed-raised fin fish, supplying high-quality frozen tuna and other fish to multi-unit restaurant chains, food retailers, distributors and value-added processors. Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.
According to Bumble Bee Seafoods President and CEO Chris Lischewski, the company’s acquisition of Anova Food will provide growth opportunities for both organizations within the retail and food service channels. The combination of Bumble Bee’s leadership position in shelf stable seafood and Anova’s portfolio of high-quality frozen tuna and other products will allow customers to benefit from new technologies and innovation from both organizations. Both companies anticipate significant synergies in the business model from a supply chain, resource and operations standpoint, centered on tuna that allows for highly competitive offerings.
Anova Food is led by Darren Zobrist, president and CEO. He and his management team will continue to manage the Anova business and work with Bumble Bee to create greater opportunities.
“The acquisition of the premier Anova brand and intellectual property fits well with our own corporate strategy of being the highest quality shelf stable brand in the U.S. market,” said Lischewski. “Anova’s commitment to global sustainability and fisheries management is also consistent with Bumble Bee’s leadership in this area and made it a great fit to join the Bumble Bee family.”
“The combination of Anova and Bumble Bee enables further growth of our business and enhanced service to our customers,” said Zobrist. “We’re excited to join with Bumble Bee as we continue to expand our business providing high-quality frozen seafood.”
About Bumble Bee Seafoods
Bumble Bee Seafoods, headquartered in San Diego, is North America’s largest branded shelf-stable seafood company, offering a full line of canned and pouched tuna, salmon, sardine, and specialty protein products marketed in the U.S. under leading brands including Bumble Bee®, Brunswick®, Snow’s® and Beach Cliff®, and in Canada under the Clover Leaf® brand. The company also produces premium fresh frozen seafood under the Bumble Bee SuperFresh™ line. Bumble Bee SuperFresh™ seafood is cleaned, cut and fresh frozen within hours, then chef prepared with high-quality all natural ingredients.
Bumble Bee’s mission is to provide healthy and nutritious product and meal solutions that are sourced sustainably. Its BeeWell for Life® brand philosophy and signature program by the same name encourage consumers to eat healthfully and deliciously while maintaining an active everyday lifestyle. Bumble Bee is a founding member of the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation — a first-of-kind initiative in the U.S. involving a coalition of retailers, non-profit organizations and food and beverage manufacturers with a mission to help reduce obesity, particularly childhood obesity by 2015. The company actively promotes the responsible stewardship of global fisheries resources and is a founding member of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) — a global partnership of scientists, tuna processors and WWF, the global conservation organization.
For more information on Bumble Bee Seafoods and the BeeWell for Life® program, visit www.BumbleBee.com and www.BeeWellForLife.com. Join fans of Bumble Bee and healthy living at www.facebook.com/BumbleBeeFoods.
About Anova Food
Anova Food, LLC, is a leading sushi quality tuna company in America. Due to its focus on quality and sustainability, Anova is the preferred brand for many restaurant chains, food retailers, distributors, and value added processors.
Anova Food, LLC has been a leader with their corporate commitment to social and environmental responsibility to ensure a healthy supply of fish for future generations. USAID has recognized the successful results of Anova supported fishery improvement projects in Indonesia and awarded a grant to significantly those efforts. Anova’s “Fishing and Living” program promotes sustainable fisheries and enhanced conditions for fishing communities. Anova has supported MSC pre-assessments and is engaged in active and credible fishery improvement projects (FIPs) with the ultimate goal of achieving MSC certification for its key tuna supply fisheries.
Media Contact:
Megan Verardi, FleishmanHillard
Ph: (415) 318-4000
