Direct Seafoods
Contact Us
0844 884 1175
http:/www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk (Published 26.11.2009)
This story is provided by SouthDevon.co.uk
£1m turnaround
As staff who lost jobs go back to fish firm
A SOUTH Devon fish supplier has reported a turnaround in fortunes with £1million turnover and new jobs for laid-off staff.
Paignton-based Kingfisher Brixham Ltd described the £1million turnover achieved in September as 'an amazing turnaround of fortune' compared to cutbacks it made in staffing levels when 10 jobs were lost at the start of the credit crunch.
Sales manager Kevin Weyman said: "It's very encouraging for the company and great for our staff in terms of securing jobs. "We had to lay people off last October, but since then we have re-employed 10 staff, some of whom lost their jobs here last year. "It's great for the local economy and Brixham fish market where we buy lots of our fresh fish. It's a real success story that's ongoing as we open into new markets."
Last year, Nick Summersby, who owned Kingfisher for 25 years, sold the company to Seafood Holdings, a national network of 10 regional fish suppliers across the UK. Kingfisher has retained its corporate identity and remains a Paignton-based company which employs 65 local people in its production and sales departments.
During the past year, Kingfisher has gone from strength to strength gaining the British Retail Consortium's highest global standard for food production which led to lucrative contracts at top sporting events including Wimbledon and Cheltenham Race Week.
The company also supplied the seafood for TV's The Restaurant programme, shot in Bristol and currently airing on BBC2. And it supplies fish to a host of Michelin-starred chefs including Heston Blumethal of the Fat Duck, Bray; Torquay's Simon Hulstone of the Elephant Restaurant; Marco Pierre White of the Yew Tree, Newbury, and TV chef Gordon Ramsey. Kevin added: "We are opening into new markets all the time including national hotel chains and restaurant groups and we hope to reap the benefit more and more next year.
"Our local markets are also increasing because of the benefits we can offer through Seafood Holdings, which buys frozen and smoked fish in bulk at more competitive prices which we are able to pass on to our customers."
