“This is a bit like coming home for Optimar,” says CEO.
Kaldbakur, an investment firm linked to Icelandic fishing company Samherji, has acquired Norwegian processing technology provider Optimar International.
The acquisition, from Optimar’s previous owner German investment company Haniel, positions Kaldbakur to leverage Optimar’s expertise and customer relationships in the global fishing market, according to Kaldbakur CEO Eiríkur S. Jóhannsson
“Optimar is a reliable, long-term partner for the global fishing industry with strong customer relationships. We are excited about the opportunities our partnership will bring to both Optimar and our broader portfolio,” wrote Jóhannsson in a release confirming the sale on Monday.
Based in Valderøya, Norway, Optimar also has facilities in the USA, Spain, and Romania. The company employs 260 people globally.
Optimar CEO Georg Saint-Denis commented, “Optimar is very pleased with this agreement and feels that this is the right and good owner for Optimar. This is a bit like coming home for Optimar. The companies know each other well through a long and good collaboration and see this as a strategic turning point for Optimar.”
Franz Haniel & Cie. GmbH, founded in 1756 and headquartered in Duisburg, is a family-owned company. It oversees a diverse investment portfolio comprising ten companies in various sectors. In 2022, the Haniel group had a workforce of 21,500 and generated a turnover of €4.2 billion.
Haniel acquired Optimar in 2017, and has since supported the development of the company in a collaborative partnership.
“Kaldbakur is the perfect strategic partner for Optimar at this time and has committed to offering its deep knowledge and proven expertise to further shape the company’s future. We sincerely wish both the Optimar and Kaldbakur teams much success in their new partnership,” said Thessa von Hülsen, investment partner at Haniel.
