March 15, 2023 — Cooke Inc. has acquired Slade Gorton, one of the largest distributors, importers, and manufacturers of fresh and frozen seafood in the United States.
The binding purchase agreement was announced on the sidelines of the 2023 Seafood Expo North America on Tuesday, 14 March, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A., near Slade Gorton’s headquarters in Waltham, Massachusetts. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Cooke said it is expected to close within weeks.
March 14, 2023 — The following was released by Cooke Aquaculture Inc:
Saint John, NB and Waltham, MA – Cooke Inc. has entered into a binding purchase agreement to acquire Slade Gorton, one of the United States largest distributors, importers, and manufacturers of fresh and frozen seafood.
Headquartered in Waltham, MA, Slade Gorton maintains a storied legacy and a heritage spanning over 95 years in the seafood industry. It is known for its deep industry expertise, unmatched customer service and its mission to bring safe and sustainable seafood from around the world to America’s table. Thomas Slade Gorton, Jr. began as a fisherman’s apprentice aboard schooners fishing on the Grand Banks off Newfoundland, Canada and founded the Company in 1928. His son, Michael Gorton, Sr., who led the company for over 50 years, has embodied Slade Gorton’s core values of passion, respect, humility, and grace.
Slade Gorton will continue to be led by fifth generation family members Kim Gorton, CEO and her brother Mike Gorton Jr., EVP, Business Development, who will both remain in their roles and continue to be invested in the ongoing growth and success of the business.
“Over nearly a century, Slade Gorton has built a robust and resilient world class supply chain in support of our family’s passion for making sustainable seafood accessible to everyone. As the world has evolved over the past several years, it became clear that to accelerate our mission and impact, it made sense to join forces with a diverse, vertically integrated company run by people who share our family values and vision for reshaping the consumer’s experience with seafood. There could be no better fit than Glenn Cooke and the incredible global company his team is building. We are excited to join forces with the Cooke family of companies to take the Gorton family’s legacy forward,” says Kim Gorton, CEO, Slade Gorton.
Slade Gorton currently offers more than 800 premium seafood products and maintains long-standing partnerships with hundreds of leading North American foodservice and retail customers.
“Cooke and Slade Gorton share a passion for ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to enjoy delicious, nutritious and sustainable seafood whether dining at home or in a restaurant,” says Glenn Cooke, CEO of Cooke Inc. “We will build on the expertise, innovation, and deep commitment to its customers’ success that Slade Gorton is so well-respected for. Working together with the True North Seafood sales team and leveraging Cooke’s global infrastructure and reach, we will help support our customers in increasing consumption of seafood in North America.”
With 4,000 employees and distribution locations coast to coast across the USA, Cooke offers a fully vertically integrated seafood harvesting, processing, sales, and distribution network to provide wholesale and retail customers with premium fresh and frozen seafood in every state.
Closing of the transaction is expected to occur in the coming weeks and the terms have not been disclosed as both companies are private, family-owned businesses.
December 19, 2022 — Cooke Aquaculture has filed an appeal against Washington state’s decision to end its leases for fish-farming with net pens in state waters.
October 14, 2022 — Cooke Aquaculture’s True North Seafood has quietly launched a premium salmon brand that leans heavily on its origins in the U.S. state of Maine.
Described in a promotional video as “one of the best ocean-raised Atlantic salmon in America, straight from the heart of Maine,” and “exceptional in every way,” Cutler Cove Salmon is now available on a limited basis in fillets and portions through Baldor Specialty Food in New York City; Harbor Fish in Portland, Maine; and Taylor Lobster in Kittery, Maine, according to True North Vice President of Marketing Jill Cronk.
October 13, 2022 — The following was released by Cooke Aquaculture Inc:
Two well-known entrepreneurial New Brunswick families have teamed up to strengthen and grow Canada’s oldest candy and chocolate company. Glenn Cooke, CEO of Cooke Inc. has made a major partnership investment into Ganong Bros., Limited.
This investment will be directed into new equipment and leveraging Cooke’s global retail grocery presence to grow the iconic company. Ganong will continue to be led by its current management team including fifth generation President & CEO Bryana Ganong and her brother Nick Ganong, COO.
“This partnership, and the strategic investment from the Cooke family, is designed to ensure that Ganong remains competitive in an ever-changing global confectionary market,” says Bryana Ganong, President & CEO, Ganong Bros., Limited. “We were committed to find an investor that understood the history of our company and our commitment to our employees and New Brunswick. We are pleased to partner with the Cooke family because they understand what it takes to run a globally competitive business from a base in New Brunswick.”
“From the invention of Chicken Bones to their hand-dipped chocolates, the Ganong family has poured their hearts into producing the finest candy for customers while building a strong, vibrant community in St. Stephen,” said Glenn Cooke, CEO of Cooke Inc. “We are happy to make this positive investment to support Charlotte County and celebrate Ganong’s growth as we move into the 150th year of business together.”
Established in 1873, Ganong has the distinction of being Canada’s original and longest standing family-owned and operated chocolate company, proudly manufacturing all its products in St. Stephen, New Brunswick. Ganong has 300 dedicated employees who manufacture a variety of premium chocolates and confectionery treats. The company manufactures their own brands as well as co-manufacturing production for Canada and the US.
“For generations our family and our employees have been helping Canadians celebrate their sweetest moments and we’re thrilled to be partnering with the Cooke family who have built a global food processing company with roots in Charlotte County,” said Bryana Ganong. “This exciting investment by Cooke will enhance the company’s capacity to serve customers, provide more opportunities for our incredible employees, and help us continue to enhance our community.”
The terms of the investment transaction have not been disclosed as both parties are private, family-owned businesses.
May 8, 2019 — Employees at Cooke Aquaculture Inc. have a unique opportunity to take a major step toward improved all-around wellness with the launch of an innovative digital platform that will connect the company’s diverse teams and facilitate individual and workplace wellbeing.
“Our people are our most important asset,” said Cooke CEO Glenn Cooke. “This investment is part of our ongoing commitment to creating a culture that empowers our people to grow, connect, and thrive.”
Cooke Aquaculture has partnered with Sprout to implement a digital platform that connects the company’s employees, promotes a shared culture across locations, helps facilitate corporate-led wellness challenges and empowers employee health and wellness with easy-to-use and rewarding programming.