Brasmar Group acquires british company Holmes

This acquisition represents the fourth by the Portuguese group in the last four years and aims to strengthen its presence in the British market.

The Brasmar Group, one of the European main players in the seafood industry, acquired Holmes Seafood, a British company specialised in frozen sea products for the wholesale trade sector. With a turnover of around 40 million euros, Holmes Seafood is one of the UK’s leading importers and distributors of branded frozen seafood. Through this recent acquisition, Brasmar intends to reinforce its presence and involvement in the UK market.

Established more than 70 years ago, Holmes Seafood is based in Billingsgate Market, in London, and employs 40 people. The acquisition of this company, benefiting from its privileged location in the largest inland fish market in the United Kingdom, will allow Brasmar to expand its presence in this geography, increasing the commercialisation of its products to British consumers. Holmes Seafood will maintain the current management team as well as all current jobs.

Throughout the last years, Brasmar, a VigentGroup and MCH Private Equity invested company, has been intensifying its internationalisation process, through a set of acquisitions and opening of branches. It is worth recalling that last year it acquired a majority stake of the French company Sedisal, located in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, specialised in the distribution of chilled seafood products. In 2019, Brasmar acquired two Spanish companies: Foncasal, specialist in chilled cooked octopus, ready for consumption, and other cephalopods, and La Balinesa, dedicated to chilled products.

“Brasmar is always looking for business opportunities that help us to strengthen our leadership position in the European market. In the specific case of Holmes, it provides us valuable knowledge, experience, and positioning in the United Kingdom, significantly increasing our presence in this market”, remarks Sérgio Silva, Chairman of Brasmar’s Board.

Andy Thomas, Managing Director of Holmes Seafood, comments: “It became evident early on that Brasmar Group are a likeminded company who share the same values and passion for the seafood business. We are delighted to be working with Brasmar and to continue to lead Holmes at such an exciting phase of our growth”.

The Portuguese group is present in over 40 countries, has a workforce of more than 850 employees and achieved a consolidated turnover of approximately 272 million euros in 2022. For 2023, Brasmar estimates a turnover of 350 million euros.