Scores of new jobs are to be created in Fife as the world’s largest seafood company moves to commission its newest fish processing facility.
Oslo-based Marine Harvest ASA took ownership of the Meridian plant in the former Lexmark building at Rosyth earlier this year.
The Courier understands the factory which is currently being fitted out to Marine Harvest’s specifications is expected to be fully operational early next year.
Dozens of new fish-processing jobs will be created as the plant transitions into a major new processing asset in the Norwegian producer’s global portfolio.
Newly posted accounts for the group’s Edinburgh-registered trading subsidiary Marine Harvest VAP (Value Added Processing) show the firm fell £2.7 million into the red in the year to December 31, 2013, having posted a £204,121 profit the previous year.
The result came despite a more than doubling of revenues in the unit from £7.14m in 2012 to £18.25m last year.
The vast majority of the firm’s sales a total of £15.6m were made in Britain last year, with the remaining £2.6m coming from Continental Europe.
In his report to the accounts filed at Companies House, Marine Harvest VAP managing director Douglas Aitchison said the company was committed to increasing its sales in the retail sector.
“Marine Harvest VAP UK Ltd will continue its trade in value-added salmon processing, with a stronger focus on the retail market,” Mr Aitchison said.
“Increased sales opportunities will be sought in light of the development of a new processing plant in Rosyth.”
He went on to say: “This processing plant, previously owned by Meridian Salmon Processing Ltd, was transferred to the company subsequent to the year end.
“The company will be supported by its ultimate parent, Marine Harvest ASA, for the foreseeable future and in the continued development of the Rosyth facilities.”
VAP’s Norwegian owner is the world’s largest single producer of Atlantic salmon.
It employs more than 10,000 staff and operates a dozen trading brands including Fife-based Harbour Salmon Company, a supplier of a range of smoked and processed products to major retailers including the Co-op.
Late last month the group reported strong trading in the second quarter of this year as earnings before interest and taxation topped £119m, up from £88.1m in the same three months of 2013.
Revenues in the period also increased to £641m from £434m a year earlier as total harvest volumes rose from 79,000 tonnes to more than 114,000 tonnes.
“The second quarter was a strong quarter for Marine Harvest, with record high profit and volume,” chief executive officer Alf-Helge Aarskog said.