Mr. Keith Decker reports

HIGH LINER FOODS ANNOUNCES $6.6M EXPANSION OF NEWPORT NEWS (VA) MANUFACTURING PLANT

High Liner Foods Inc. will invest $6.6-million to further modernize and expand its manufacturing facility in Newport News, Va., increasing production to meet customer demand for products from its leading U.S. food service brands. As part of this expansion, High Liner will create 57 new jobs to support the expanded production capabilities.

High Liner Foods acquired Icelandic Group's U.S. and Asian operations, including the 240,000-square-foot Newport News facility, in December, 2011. The Newport News expansion project includes new equipment and systems to expand production and process capabilities, while also improving efficiencies. High Liner also operates processing facilities in Malden, Mass., Portsmouth, N.H., and Lunenburg, N.S.

"Our vision is to be the leading supplier of frozen seafood in North America, and this expansion of our Newport News operation puts us a step closer to that goal," said Keith A. Decker, president and chief operating officer of High Liner Foods (USA) Inc. "As demand for our food service products continues to grow, this increased production capacity will allow High Liner to be an even better partner for our customers."

To help finance the expansion, High Liner Foods is eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone program, which is administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide financing and services to support High Liner's recruitment, training and retraining activities. Governor Bob McDonnell approved a $250,000 grant from the Governor's Opportunity Fund to assist the city of Newport News with the project.