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On 22 July, Blueshell Mussels Ltd, a family owned company based in Brae, Shetland, signed a deal with two other mussel businesses - Demlane Ltd and SI Seafarms Ltd - that should protect and develop the long term mussel farming industry in the Shetland Islands.
Blueshell has purchased the sea service assets of Demlane, which consists of workboats and equipment, as well as taking on the current Demlane sea crew. This will allow Demlane to concentrate its business on its newly extended processing factory based in Walls and create a platform of excellence to launch a new seafood range of products. Blueshell has also signed a management agreement to manage the 15 Shetland mussel sites held by SI Seafarms Limited which was previously managed by Demlane.
Managing Director of Blueshell Mussels, Michael Laurenson, said “Our core business strength and expertise is in mussel production and primary mussel processing, I believe it makes sense for us to concentrate on this, and in so doing can bring growth, economic benefit and efficiency through this development.”
Chairman of SI Seafarms Limited, David Fell, said “We look forward to working closely with Blueshell Mussels Limited to continue to develop a European class mussel growing industry based in Shetland.”
Chairman and Managing Director of Demlane, Malcolm Parkinson, said “This agreement allows each of the companies concerned to play to their strengths, creating economies of scale, efficiencies in processing and adding value throughout the supply chain, bringing new and exciting products to the UK and EU market place.”
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