Zoutkamp, Groningen, Holland-headquartered Heiploeg, Europe’s biggest shrimp trading, processing and marketing companies, was declared bankrupt on January 28. At the same time, an announcement was made that it will relaunch immediately as Heiploeg International under the new ownership of Katwijk-based fish processing company Parlevliet & Van der Plas.
Heiploeg, which was fined EUR 27 million in November by the European Commission after being linked to European shrimp cartel activities, had reportedly accumulated debts amounting to EUR 130 million. In December the company filed an appeal against the fine, which was levied following an investigation into several North Sea shrimp traders during the period of 2000 to 2009.
Heiploeg employs 3,000 people in countries spanning the globe from Holland and Belgium to Suriname, Guyana, Morocco and India. Its Morubel unit in Oostende, Belgium, is a major supplier of frozen shrimp-based ready meals to retail supermarket chains throughout Europe.
It has been reported that 60 full-time jobs at Heiploeg will be eliminated in Europe, while 300 positions will be retained. However, it is expected that pay and benefits may be reduced as the company restructures to better compete in the marketplace.
