Samherji acquires a 49% share in Berg LipidTech AS
Samherji has completed the acquisition of a 49% stake in the Norwegian production company Berg LipidTech AS in Ålesund. The company produces fish oil for the wholesale market, mainly from cod liver and salmon, and sells its products worldwide. The acquisition creates opportunities for further processing of Samherji's byproducts while strengthening Berg LipidTech's competitiveness through a more stable supply of quality raw materials. The investment will move Samherji further up the seafood value chain.
The purchase agreement has already been signed and finalised. In conjunction with the acquisition of a 49% stake in Berg LipidTech, Samherji acquires an option to buy the company's remaining share capital.
Supports current operations
Baldvin Thorsteinsson, CEO of Samherji, says the investment in Berg LipidTech AS aligns well with Samherji's core business.
"We see significant opportunities with this investment. It has been Samherji's policy to maximise value from the raw materials in our operations. We foresee that this investment will support that objective, as there is increased global demand for fish oil products with high Omega-3 content. We believe Berg LipidTech has room for significant growth, considering the company’s technologically advanced production facility and experienced and talented employees with whom we look forward to collaborating,” says Baldvin.
A well-established family business
Berg LipidTech AS is a well-established family business in Ålesund, the heart of innovation and shipbuilding in the Norwegian fishing industry. The company was founded in 1993 and therefore has decades of experience in its field. Berg LipidTech AS produces, among other things, fish oils from cod, saithe, salmon, tuna and anchovies. The company has cemented its position as a reliable supplier in the wholesale market for manufacturers of dietary supplements.
The current owners and main management of Berg LipidTech AS will stay with the company, and its operating locations will remain unchanged. As a minority shareholder, Samherji will appoint board members and support executives in harnessing the company’s growth opportunities. The work will be carried out according to a joint business plan that utilises the company's strengths for further expansion.
Staale M. Berg, CEO of Berg LipidTech AS, says that this will be a perfect industrial fit.
“Samherji is a strong and experienced industrial owner, and their access to important raw materials will give us a unique vertical integration that is not typical for companies in our line of business. This partnership will create new opportunities for continued growth and development,” says Staale.
