High Liner Foods

Project includes 57 newly-created jobs, along with new production and processing capabilities

NEWPORT NEWS, Va., May 21, 2013 /CNW/ - High Liner Foods Inc., (TSX:HLF), the leading value-added seafood supplier in North America, today announced that it will invest $6.6 million to further modernize and expand its manufacturing facility in Newport News, Va., increasing production to meet customer demand for products from its leading U.S. foodservice brands. As part of this expansion, High Liner will create 57 new jobs to support the expanded production capabilities.

High Liner Foods acquired Icelandic Group’s U.S. and Asian operations, including the 240,000-square-foot Newport News facility, in December 2011. The Newport News expansion project includes new equipment and systems to expand production and process capabilities, while also improving efficiencies. High Liner also operates processing facilities in Malden, MA, Portsmouth, NH, and Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.

“Our vision is to be the leading supplier of frozen seafood in North America, and this expansion of our Newport News operation puts us a step closer to that goal,” said Keith A. Decker, president and chief operating officer of High Liner Foods (USA) Inc. “As demand for our foodservice products continues to grow, this increased production capacity will allow High Liner to be an even better partner for our customers.”

To help fund the expansion, High Liner Foods is eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, which is administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide funding and services to support High Liner’s recruitment, training and retraining activities. Governor Bob McDonnell approved a $250,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist the city of Newport News with the project.

About High Liner Foods Incorporated

High Liner Foods is the leading North American processor and marketer of value-added frozen seafood. High Liner’s retail branded products are sold throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico under the High Liner, Fisher Boy,Mirabel, Sea Cuisine and Royal Sea labels, and are available in most grocery and club stores. High Liner also sells its products under the High Liner, Icelandic Seafood, FPI, Viking, Mirabel and Samband of Iceland brands to restaurants and institutions, and is a major supplier of private label seafood products to North American food retailers and food service distributors. High Liner Foods is a publicly traded Canadian company, trading under the symbol HLF on the Toronto Stock Exchange.