The company is shifting salmon processing work from newly acquired Loch Fyne Oysters in Cairndow, to Moray Seafoods.
Scottish smoked salmon and shellfish producer Associated Seafoods Limited, the parent company of Lossie Seafoods and Moray Seafoods, is set to transfer about 30 jobs to Buckie, Moray, according to Grampian Online.
The move comes as the company shifts salmon processing work from Loch Fyne Oysters in Cairndow, Argyll, to Moray Seafoods in Buckie.
The reallocation was needed to maintain a competitive edge in the market, according to Associated Seafoods CEO Victor West.
“To stay at the forefront of a competitive market, we need to relocate around 30 positions in salmon processing and smoking from Cairndow to Buckie,” he said.
He assured employees that all those currently engaged in salmon processing at Cairndow would be offered positions.
“There is a job at our sites in Buckie and Arbroath for everyone who is currently employed in Cairndow but we understand that relocation may not be possible for all staff,” said West.
“We will be consulting with those affected to reach the best outcome for all and giving them as much time as possible to decide what they want to do.”
Despite this shift in operations, Loch Fyne Oysters’ restaurant, delicatessen, oyster farm, and mussel farm will continue to operate in Cairndow. This segment will retain around 45 jobs, with plans to upgrade facilities within the next 18 to 24 months.
This development follows Associated Seafoods’ acquisition of Loch Fyne Oysters in 2023.
Associated Seafoods, trading under both Lossie and Moray Seafoods, has facilities located at Low Street and March Road in Buckie.
In February last year the company was recognised as an example of best practice by the Global Seafood Alliance. Its customers include Loblaw and Marks & Spencer.
“We remain fully committed to the Loch Fyne base and anticipate a complete upgrade of the facilities within the next two years,” said West.
Turnover up, profit down
Associated Seafoods reported a significant 75% surge in its turnover for the financial year ending October 2022. This increase is largely attributed to the acquisition of processing assets from trout farmer Dawnfresh Seafood.
The company’s turnover rose to £69.1 million ($88 million), up from £39.5 million ($5 million) in the previous year. Despite this substantial growth in revenue, Associated Seafoods experienced a decrease in operating profit, which fell by a third to £1.3 million ($1.6 million) over the same period.
Associated Seafoods acquired the business, trade, and assets of R. R. Spink & Sons from the administrators of Dawnfresh Holdings Limited in March of the previous year.
Dawnfresh, based in Scotland, had entered administration due to severe financial difficulties. The company was eventually purchased by Mowi, the world’s largest salmon farmer, in February.
