Loch Duart buys mothballed Dingwall processing plant
Salmon farmer Loch Duart has bought its own fish processing facility for the first time in its 21-year history, the company said today.
Scourie-based Loch Duart, which produces around 6,000 tonnes of fish annually in Sutherland and the Uists, has acquired the Dingwall facility previously owned by The Edinburgh Salmon Company, a subsidiary of Thai Union.
The factory was mothballed in 2018 and Loch Duart plans to refurbish the 52,000 square foot facility before opening. The move will result in the creation of up to 40 new jobs initially.
More flexibility
Loch Duart managing director Mark Warrington said: “This is great news for Loch Duart and for our customers.
“It’s an investment in our future. Having our own processing facility will eventually allow us to be more flexible and responsive to our customers’ needs as we adapt to changing consumer behaviours in the new world that we all face.”
Loch Duart said the new facility provides the ideal location for processing in relative proximity to its farms as well as being on the route to its markets.
Vision Ridge
The purchase follows Loch Duart’s takeover in February by US sustainable investment management company Vision Ridge Partners.
In a recent statement about the acquisition by Vision Ridge, Loch Duart said it regarded it as very positive news as the company had gained a new investor fully aligned with Loch Duart’s mission of producing the finest salmon in the world.
“Vision Ridge has stated its intention to support Loch Duart in its ambition to grow its brand and expand its operations,” said Loch Duart.
