Espersen to close plant in Lithuania due to excess capacity

The Danish value-added producer Espersen has announced that it will cease operations at its Klaipeda plant in Lithuania this summer and transfer production to Espersen's high-capacity plant in Koszalin, Poland.

Espersen has explained that the volume growth in the seafood industry will remain stable or slightly decline in the coming years and that currently, the Danish company is producing excessively at its European primary sites.

"By consolidating production into a single, more efficient site in Koszalin, we are positioning Espersen for future success, strengthening our competitive edge, and ensuring that we remain a reliable partner to our customers," said Tino Bendix, CEO of Espersen.

Consequently, the company aims to achieve a more agile and cost-effective operation and expand the plant if demand grows. Finally, the company has confirmed that primary production in Vietnam will remain unchanged.

Regarding this, Bendix assured: "This consolidation is about strengthening Espersen's European Primary production, making us more resilient, and ensuring that we continue delivering high-quality products efficiently and competitively."

The inevitable price of a necessary choice

Now, the future consequences of this business move for the employees in Klaipeda remain uncertain. Espersen trusts that the transition will be carried out responsibly and transparently.

"The decision is difficult, particularly for our colleagues in Klaipeda, but it is necessary to align our primary production footprint with the realities of the market," Bendix expressed.

Additionally, he advanced: "Our colleagues in Klaipeda have played an integral role in Espersen's journey for 21 years, and we are deeply grateful for their contributions, We are committed to offering support during this transition, including job opportunities at our Koszalin facility where possible."

In 2023, the announced sale of Iceland Seafood UK (IS UK) to Espersen was completed. In addition to factories in Europe and Asia, the Danish company has a significant share of its sales in the UK retail market, so this acquisition materialized Espersen's strategic intention to establish itself in one of Europe's leading seafood markets.