Ren Seafoods plans to open a seafood processing facility and distribution hub in Mobile as part of a $12.4 million growth project that will create 54 jobs, according to the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce.
“This project further cements Mobile as a prime location for logistics and warehousing,” said David Rodgers, the chamber’s vice president of economic development.
While most national seafood companies are concentrated in areas such as New England, Miami and Seattle, Ren Seafoods CEO Javier Infante said has company is pursuing a different strategy.
“We are creating a hub for seafood distribution covering the Southeast region,” he said.
Infante added that a partnership with MTC Logistics led Ren Seafoods to Mobile, said Infante. MTC Logistics broke ground on a 300,000-square-foot cold storage facility across from APM Terminals, and will open later this year
“We are following their path and its vicinity allows us to combine product deliveries to have a unique logistics operation,” Infante said.
“In addition, there is high-quality, local seafood in this region that we will be able to access for our customer base.”
Brooks Royster, vice president of international supply chain solutions for MTC Logistics, said Ren Seafoods is the first customer to come to Mobile to be near this facility.
“It is further testament to Mobile being successful as a logistics hub and able to attract new international players,” he said.
Royster added he expects others will follow suit.
Ren Seafoods is affiliated with Pennsylvania-based The Fishin’ Co., a privately held company selling 150 million pounds of seafood annually to retailers and food service distributors.
Ren Seafoods will invest $12.4 million in its new location in the old Smith’s Bakery building on the West Interstate 65 service road. Construction is expected to begin in April and be completed later this year.
“This exciting announcement is just another example of how well positioned Mobile is to attract businesses from around the country who are looking to invest in a city that is business friendly,” Mayor Sandy Stimpson said.
“We are excited to add Ren Seafoods to our local corporate fabric and look forward to seeing their continued success and growth here in Mobile.”
The Chamber also announced today that it has finalized a project that will see Ray-Mont Logistics and its partners locate a high-tech logistics park in Mobile.
“The project aligns with the Chamber’s economic development strategy to continue to grow Mobile’s logistics and distribution network, especially as it relates to containerized cargo through the Port of Mobile and APM Terminals,” Rodgers said.