Rancho Dominguez, CA – Roger O’Brien, President and CEO of Santa Monica Seafood, announced at its annual Supplier Summit today that the Company will be opening a new, state-of-the-art facility in Illinois to primarily expand its Ethos Seafood division’s pre-packed chilled seafood operations. Production at this new plant is targeted to commence early in the second quarter of this year and will extend Santa Monica Seafood’s capabilities to include supply to over 60% of the U.S.
Roger O’Brien said, “Our focus at this facility will be on high-quality, certified pre-packaged raw and value-added chilled seafood products for sale primarily to retailers. We are in the process of installing state-of-the-art equipment, similar to what we have at our main Rancho Dominguez, California facility, as well as implementing all of our food safety standards, safety programs and operational systems and processes.”
O’Brien noted that approximately 80% of all chilled seafood in the U.K. retail market is sold in a pre-pack format and this packaging and presentation format is quickly catching on in the U.S. Convenience, ideal portion sizes, easy handling and displaying, clear labeling and presentation of the product, less waste, longer shelf-life, how to cook and recipe ideas have all contributed to the growth in this dynamic retail category. This new facility will offer a range of species including seasonal items and regionally popular items.
ABOUT SANTA MONICA SEAFOOD – Santa Monica Seafood, as a family-owned and operated company for the past 79 years, is the largest specialty wholesale distributor of fresh and frozen seafood in the southwestern U.S. with its 120,000 square foot corporate offices and main processing facility located in Rancho Dominguez, California, along with additional satellite distribution and/or processing locations in California, Arizona and Nevada. Santa Monica Seafood also owns and operates two retail stores and cafes – in Santa Monica and Costa Mesa, CA – which specialize in seafood and seafood related products. Santa Monica Seafood was the first and still the only seafood company in the United States to achieve the internationally recognized FSSC 22000 certification for food safety management systems and ISO 14001 certification for environmental management programs, as well as BAP certification for its Rancho Dominguez facility for repacking salmon and tilapia products.
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Source: Santa Monica Seafood
