The Guidoes, Trofa, Portugal-headquartered Brasmar Group has acquired Holmes Seafood, a British company specialized in selling frozen seafood to the wholesale trade sector. The transaction price was not disclosed.
With turnover of approximately €40 million per annum, Holmes ranks as one of the United Kingdom’s leading importers and distributors of branded frozen seafood products. Its extensive range includes prawns, squid, octopus and cuttlefish to crab, lobster, surimi, scallops, whelks and traditional fish fillets.
Established more than 70 years ago, Holmes Seafood is based at London’s Billingsgate Market and employs 40 people. The acquisition of the company, which will maintain the current management team as well as others in the current workforce, will allow Brasmar to expand its presence in Britain and boost sales throughout the UK.
In recent years Brasmar, a VigentGroup and MCH Private Equity invested company, has been intensifying the internationalization process through a set of acquisitions and opening of new branches. In 2022 it secured a majority stake in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, France-based Sedisal, a chilled seafood distributor. In 2019 two Spanish companies were acquired: cooked octopus specialist Foncasal, and La Balinesa, dedicated to chilled products.
“We are always looking for business opportunities that help us to strengthen our leadership position in the European market. In the specific case of Holmes, it provides us valuable knowledge, experience and positioning in the United Kingdom, significantly increasing our presence there,” said Brasmar Chairman Sérgio Silva.
Andy Thomas, managing director of Holmes Seafood, added: “It became evident early on that Brasmar Group are a like-minded company who share the same values and passion for the seafood business. We are delighted to be working with them and to continue to lead Holmes at such an exciting phase of our growth.”
Brasmar is present in over 40 countries, has a workforce of more than 850 employees and achieved a consolidated turnover of approximately €272 million in 2022. This year’s sales target is set at €350 million.
