Nova Sea AS becomes a major shareholder in Torghatten Aqua AS
Helgeland fish farmers Nova Sea and Torghatten Aqua are entering into a close and long-term collaboration to strengthen both companies. In addition, the collaboration will contribute to the continued sustainable growth and development of the aquaculture industry in Helgeland.
Nova Sea enters as a new major shareholder with a 33.4% stake in Torghatten Aqua. This is done through a capital increase in the company and the purchase of shares. Nova Sea thus becomes the second largest shareholder in the group. Trøndelag Helgeland Invest is still the largest owner, with just over 39% of the shares. The farming operations of the Torghatten Aqua companies will eventually be operated in co-operation with Nova Sea.
The boards of Torghatten Aqua and Nova Sea have approved the agreements, and Torghatten Aqua will convene an extraordinary general meeting of the company on 23 February for a final decision.
Capital and expertise
Chairman of the Board of Torghatten Aqua, Frode Blakstad, is very pleased to have Nova Sea as an owner: -"We get increased access to capital and expertise, which means a lot for the further development of our companies," he says. Blakstad has played a key role in the negotiations and believes that the shared values of the two companies are important for the ambitious plans for the future.
Offensive initiative
In recent years, Nova Sea has invested aggressively, investing billions in a new slaughterhouse, a new hatchery and the purchase of fish farming volumes in Helgeland. "The investment and co-operation with Torghatten Aqua fits in very well with Nova Sea's strategy. In addition, Torghatten Aqua's subsidiary Campus BLÅ actively contributes to the recruitment of skilled labour, which is crucial to the success of the venture, says chairman Aino Olaisen in Nova Sea.
A happy day
- This is a great and happy day for us! The main shareholders in Nova Sea and Torghatten Aqua have worked together for decades. They share a common ambition for growth and development, both in the companies, the industry and the region. We are therefore delighted that we will be able to actively participate in this in the futuresays Øyvind Løvdahl, CEO of Torghatten Aqua: -Following the completion of the transaction with Nova Sea, we are also ready to follow up on the promise to our more than 800 shareholders to list the share on the NOTC list, says Løvdahl.
Positive for everyone
- We have spent a lot of time since last summer getting to know each other's businesses, and mapping out the synergies and opportunities that the collaboration opens up. That's why we're convinced that what we've come up with will be very positive for both companies, for the employees and for the shareholders, says Nova Sea CEO Tom Eirik Aasjord, who is looking forward to embarking on the collaboration.
Norwegian