Portland, ME – Ready Seafood announced today its acquisition of Hancock Gourmet Lobster Co. (“Hancock”), a manufacturer of specialty lobster products.
“We have grown our company by focusing on building new markets for Maine lobster,” said John Ready, Co-CEO of Ready Seafood. “Our company’s future is dependent upon new products, delivering unique items that leverage our vast access to Maine lobster. Hancock’s products combine our great Maine lobster with Cal Hancock’s amazing recipes to create high value, sustainable and accessible gourmet food. The acquisition of Hancock Gourmet Lobster Co., a culinary leader, supports our innovation-centric growth strategy.”
“We are pleased to be partnering with John, Brendan and their talented management team. Their customer base is a natural market for our products.” said Cal Hancock, President of Hancock Gourmet Lobster. “Combining our innovative product development with their sustainable resource and global demand is a win-win. This was a natural collaboration just waiting to happen.”
Hancock Gourmet Lobster Co. will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ready Seafood and will continue operations in its current facility in Topsham, ME. Cal Hancock will remain as President and will collaborate with the Ready management team to grow the value-added product business domestically and internationally. Hancock will continue growing all its business segments including direct-to-consumer through its website www.hancockgourmetlobster.com, and its wholesale business for foodservice and retail organizations
About Hancock Gourmet Lobster
Hancock Gourmet Lobster was founded in 2000 by Cal Hancock. Known for its culinary innovation, the company develops and manufactures products with Maine lobster as the starring ingredient, such as Lobster Risotto on the Half-Shell and Lobster Pot Pie. Hancock’s ground-breaking products have received high praise from industry groups and professional chefs and been featured in the nation’s leading publications, blogs and food TV shows. The company has won many prestigious awards, including eleven gold and twelve silver sofi™ awards from the Specialty Food Association – considered the “Oscars” of the specialty food industry.
About Ready Seafood
Founded in 2004 by brothers John and Brendan Ready, Ready Seafood markets live and processed lobster across the globe, sourcing more than 20 million pounds from dozens of locations along the Maine coast. The company operates four production facilities in the state of Maine.
