Macduff Shellfish lands Scott Trawlers for £10m

By PETER RANSCOMBE
Published on 24/12/2012 00:00

BRITAIN’S biggest hand-caught shellfish processor will today unveil its takeover of the UK’s largest scallop fishing fleet in a deal believed to be worth more than £10 million.

Macduff Shellfish, which is based at Mintlaw near Peterhead, has reeled in Dumfries-based Scott Trawlers, which
operates five scallop vessels.

All 50 staff from the company – which lands more than 15 per cent of the UK’s annual scallop catch – including founder Andy Scott will transfer across to Macduff Shellfish.

Euan Beaton, chairman of Macduff Shellfish, said: “Owning an entire fishing fleet is a first for Macduff Shellfish.

“This significant deal enables us to expand our scallop business, allows us to have a full chain of custody from the sea to the customer and consolidates a solid 15-year relationship between the two businesses.

“Over the past ten years we’ve quadrupled the business. In the next five years, I’d like us to double it again through acquisition deals such as this and through organic growth, including diversifying into other shellfish.”

Scott added: “The two businesses are a great fit and that was very important to me as I looked for ways in which I could still operate and grow the business but in partnership with a like-minded operation.”

The deal was backed by Royal Bank of Scotland.