NORTON-based Eight Fifty Food Group has bought Greenland Seafood for an undisclosed sum.

The food group, which includes Karro and Young’s Seafood, gives the company a significant platform in mainland Europe.

Hamburg-headquartered Greenland is one of mainland Europe’s largest producers of frozen seafood products and employs about 600 people across its two manufacturing sites in France and Germany.

Following the acquisition, Eight Fifty will have sales of about £1.7 billion and employ more than 8,000 people across 21 sites in the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe.

It also follows Eight Fifty’s acquisition in May of Irish processor and multi-channel supplier of gammon, bacon and sous-vide meat products M&M Walshe Holdings Limited, which trades as RibWorld, Callan Bacon and Stirchley Bacon.

Di Walker, CEO of Eight Fifty Food Group, which is based on Norton Grove Industrial Estate, said: “We have long been impressed with Greenland Seafoods’ strong track record, expertise in frozen seafood and long-standing relationships with its customers across Germany, France and the rest of mainland Europe. We’re delighted to welcome Greenland into the Eight Fifty Food Group and look forward to continuing our growth journey with them as part of our expanding portfolio.”

The transaction is subject to standard closing conditions and approval from the German, French and Polish competition authorities.