17 May 2006
SHETLAND DEVELOPMENT TRUST INVESTS IN FISH PROCESSING FACILITY
Shetland Development Trust has announced that it is providing a £300,000 loan to Johnson Sustainable Seafoods Ltd to assist with equipping the company’s processing unit at Blydoit in Scalloway for the processing of farmed organic cod and other species.
The investment, approved by Shetland Islands Council today (Wednesday 17th May), will allow Johnson Sustainable Seafoods Ltd to re-instate and equip its processing facility to accommodate the entire production chain from primary processing right through to added value branded and packed product.
Chairman of Shetland Development Trust, Josie Simpson, said: “I am very pleased that the Trust’s decision to support this project has been ratified by Shetland Islands Council today. The company’s business plans are very much in line with our policy to encourage a diversified economy.
“Not only is the business creating new jobs, it is also producing a high quality, value-added retail product that will raise the profile of Shetland in the marketplace.”
Welcoming the investment, Johnsons’ financial director, Andrew Chandler, said: “We are delighted that the Shetland Development Trust and Shetland Islands Council are supporting the company. This investment will assist a project that is pivotal to establishing Johnson Sustainable Seafoods’ highly acclaimed sustainable cod in the retail and restaurant market place.
“This is further great news for the company and its employees coming straight after our success at the Scottish Food & Drink Excellence Awards, where our fish won not only the 'Fish and Seafood' and 'Savoury Product' categories but also the overall Supreme Award. We are now ideally positioned for the launch of our Shetland farmed and processed “No Catch” range of cod products.”