Icelandic investors snap up Optimar

High-tech aquaculture and processing business Optimar International has been acquired by Icelandic investment company Kaldbakur ehf. 

Kaldbakur has completed the purchase of all shares in the company from the previous owner, German investment firm Franz Haniel & Cie. GmbH, for an undisclosed sum.

Based in Ålesund, Norway, and with offices in Norway, Spain, Romania, and the United States, Optimar serves customers in more than 30 countries. Itserves the aquaculture and seafood processing sectors, with products including humane stunners for finfish and shrimp, and the Optilicer delousing solution.

It is stated that there are no planned changes to Optimar’s current operations.

Kaldbakur is an investment company owned by the two founders of the large Icelandic fishing and aquaculture company Samherji, Þorstein Más Baldvinsson and Kristján Vilhelmsson, and their families.

Two years ago the company, also trading as Kaldbaks ehf, took over assets that Samherji had acquired over the years but were not part of the company’s core business.

Eiríkur S. Jóhannsson, Kaldbakur’s managing director said: “Optimar is a trusted service provider to the maritime industry worldwide. The company has a lot of experience, knowledge, and business relationships.

“We are excited about the opportunities that this investment will create, both for Optimar and for other companies we own.”

The announcement said: “There are no planned changes to the operation of Optimar, which will continue to serve its customers as an independent company in the Kaldbaks ehf group.”

Optimar describes itself as a trusted service provider to the maritime industry worldwide.

Jóhannsson added: “The company has a lot of experience, knowledge, and business relationships. We are excited about the opportunities that this investment will create, both for Optimar and for other companies we own.”