Cooke subsidiary buys companies in Japan and The Netherlands

A subsidiary of Blacks Harbour, New Brunswick, Canada-based Cooke Inc. has expanded its business into Japan and The Netherlands with the acquisition of two companies.

The subsidiary, Bioriginal Food and Science Corp., which operates in the food and nutraceutical industries, announced on 7 September it had bought two companies: The Netherlands-based The Fatory and Yokohama, Japan-based Cana Corporation. According to Cooke, the Fatory produces fat and oil-based pet supplements and treats. The company supplies sheet fat treats and salmon oil in the Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Germany, and Bioriginal plans to expand its operations across Europe. Cana Corporation is a natural health company that distributes products across the Asia Pacific region. Cana Corporation has since been rebranded Bioriginal Asia.

“We made these strategic acquisitions to support Bioriginal’s growth plans and increasing market demands,” Bioriginal President Shannon Sears said. “These are in line with Bioriginal’s intention to increase our product range, production capacity, and direct sales capabilities on a global scale. We’re excited to be expanding our operations on two continents, and for the unique growth opportunities we see at The Fatory and Bioriginal Asia.”

Cooke did not disclose the terms of the acquisitions. Senior management for both companies will remain in place.

"Cooke continues to actively develop opportunities to grow our seafood distribution into new markets with global divisions in our family of companies," a Cooke spokesperson told SeafoodSource. "These Bioriginal acquisitions further strengthen our reach into Asia and Europe with functional ingredients and nutritional products for human and pet health.  This fits precisely with Cooke's core purpose to cultivate the ocean with care, nourish the world, provide for our families and build stronger communities."

Photo courtesy of Cliff White/SeafoodSource