TUF wraps up deals for producers
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TUF wraps up deals for producers

Thai Union Frozen Products Plc (TUF), the world's top exporter of canned and frozen tuna and shrimp, has announced completion of its acquisitions of seafood producers MerAlliance and King Oscar.

TUF in September announced it had agreed to acquire 100% of their assets.

President and chief executive Thiraphong Chansiri yesterday said the deals represented a strategic driver for TUF to double its revenue by 2020.

The acquisitions present TUF with opportunities to leverage its strengths and accelerate growth, he said.

The deals will be consolidated into TUF's sales and earnings report from this month forward.

MerAlliance is the leading European producer of chilled smoked salmon, with annual sales of US$220 million in the fiscal year ended March 31.

King Oscar, which produces premium canned sardines in Norway, the US, Poland, Belgium and Australia, generated $80 million in sales last year.

Both companies are now formally part of one of the world's strongest seafood companies.

Mr Thiraphong said MerAlliance's arrival would allow TUF to expand from frozen and shelf-stable products into the chilled category.

King Oscar's unique products and trademark will complement TUF's portfolio of leading global brands comprising Chicken of the Sea, John West, Parmentier, Petit Navire, Mareblu, Century and Sealect.

"The completion of these two transactions places us in an even stronger position at the heart of the world seafood industry," Mr Thiraphong said.

"By incorporating MerAlliance and King Oscar into our portfolio, we're gearing towards more strategic premium branded product development as well as ensuring our consumers and customers with continued expertise and more comprehensive product offerings."

TUF achieved first-half revenue 59.5 billion baht, up by 10% year-on-year.

It reported revenue of 114 billion baht last year.

The company is scheduled to report third-quarter results by the middle of this month.

TUF shares closed yesterday on the Stock Exchange of Thailand at 74.75 baht, up 25 satang, in trade worth 336 million baht.

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