In June, Lerøy's climate goals got approved by the Science Based Targets Initiative, which is a collaboration between Carbon Disclosure Project, WWF, UNs Global Compact and World Resources Institute.
Science Based Targets Initiative set targets for how much and how quickly companies should reduce their overall climate emissions. Lerøy Seafood Group will cut emissions in line with the 1.5-degree target in the Paris Agreement.
This means Lerøy’s goal is to cut climate emissions with 46 percent towards 2030.
“The goal is very ambitious, but with focus, good management and a close cooperation through the entire value chain, from supplier to end-customer, we will reach this goal. When we set a goal in Lerøy our experience is that we reach it. We need to work together”, says Head of quality and sustainability at Lerøy Seafood Group, Anne Hilde Midttveit.
Read more: Lerøy sets ambitious climate goals
In January, Lerøy launched the product certification «STP-86 Salmo Salar».
The product certification is a result of a collaboration with DNV GL. Salmon produced according to the STP-86 have a higher content of omega-3 than the Norwegian industry standard, zero use of antibiotics, zero escapes and full traceability.
“Lerøy has made several choices to ensure our customers a healthy and sustainable product with full traceability throughout the value chain. The cooperation with DNV guarantees what we say is what we do. When you choose Lerøy Salmon™ you should be completely confident that it is a good choice – for yourself and the planet”, says COO Sales and Distribution, Ivar Wulff.
Read more: Launching Lerøy Salmon™
In November, Lerøy Norway Seafoods factory in Melbu was awarded «Diversity Business of the Year 2021» in Norway.
In September they won the Diversity Award 2021 (Mangfoldsprisen 2021) in Nordland County. Of the approximately 120 employees close to 70 percent comes from an immigrant background.
“Lerøy Norway Seafoods Melbu demonstrates that diversity is a great strength. I am really impressed with, and proud of, their focus and the results they’ve achieved. They deserve this prize. Congratulations!” says Henning Beltestad, CEO of the Lerøy Seafood Group.
The managers at the factory want to make sure that all employees are given equal opportunities. They do so by, amongst other things, offer and facilitate Norwegian language courses, the opportunity to take a trade certificate and extra Norwegian lessons to be able to complete this, competence mapping and reorganization according to the LEAN principle.
Read more: Diversity business of the year
In September, Lerøy Seafood Group secured one and a half billion Norwegian kroner of new senior unsecured green bonds. This involved strict sustainability criteria and required Lerøy to develop a green financing framework. There was very high demand from investors for the bond, and in fact demand significantly outstripped supply. The bond issue was therefore a success.
“Green investments can range from sustainable seafood production, low-emissions transport solutions, renewable energy and energy-efficiency measures, through to investments in circular and resource-efficient processes for products and packaging, green waste handling and so on”, says CFO in Lerøy Seafood Group, Sjur Malm.
By no later than 17 September 2022, in other words one year after the bond was issued, Lerøy will publish a report on what the funds have been used for.
Read more: Borrowing to invest in a sustainable future
In June, Lerøy started production in the new production facility in Porto Viro, Italy. The factory produces fresh, consumer packed seafood that is distributed within the country. Italy has for a long time been an important marked for Lerøy.
“The retail chains are grateful that we are closer to the market and consumers. If something is urgent, we are nearby and can therefore react much faster. When it comes to the location of the factory, everyone is happy that we create new jobs and opportunities. People are expectant because they know that we have a lot of competence and knowledge”, says General Manager Irene Monetta.
Irene is the youngest General Manager ever employed at Lerøy's downstream activities. In the new year, you can read more about the factory and Irene on our website.
In November, the quality mark Lerøy Organic launched. The mark of quality is a result of great demand as well as a desire to be a complete supplier of all quality labels and certified seafood products.
“Lerøy’s organic salmon is of excellent quality, so naturally it is in high demand. Our hope is that more and more people will notice this, so we can distribute it to even more consumers around the world”, says Head of Sales & Distribution in Lerøy Seafood, Lene Fammestad.
The products are Debio-marked, which is a demand for organic food produced in Norway and is strictly regulated through the EU’s rules on organic products. It ensures that the production process follows the strict guidelines for production, in line with organic production and minimization of environmental impacts.
Read more: Organic salmon and sugar kelp
In June, Lerøy’s newest factory in Spain opened. In the factory there are three zones, one for ready meals like sushi, a zone for fish processing and a smoking area. The factory in Madrid is the starting point for the launch of several new categories in Leroy Processing Spain’s product portfolio.
«In Spain, Lerøy is a strong company, we are one of the most important companies within salmon processing and sushi production”, says CEO of Leroy Processing Spain, Antonio Díez.
In May, Lerøy Seafood Group increased their shares in Seafood Danmark A/S from 33.33 per cent to 77.59 per cent. This means that the company becomes a subsidiary of LSG.
Since 2013, LSG has had a collaboration with the company.
«Seafood Denmark is a well-run company with a good position in both the local Danish market and international markets. We look forward to continuing to develop the business together with skilled local management», says COO Sales and Distribution in Lerøy Seafood Group, Ivar Wulff.
Traditionally, fishing has been a male-dominated profession, but statistics from 2021 show that among all new year-round fishers in 2020, more than half (31 of 60) were women.
From the school year 2012/13 to 2020/21, fishing and hunting (educational program in Nature Management) has had more than a doubling of the proportion of girls. The figures indicate that there will be an increase in women in the profession in the years to come.
The fisher Elise Kristin Kuntze, who works at Gadus Njord, has in an interview with Lerøy said that she could definitely imagine more women in the profession. She uses her own Instagram to show what everyday work is like, which she hopes can arouse interest among women who are considering becoming a fisherman.
Read more: Elise Kristin works as a fisher on a trawler
In October, this years “Fisher of the Year” award for fishing excellence was given to Daniel Lauritzen with his boat «Tinder». Daniel fish with longlining, something that is both more expensive and time consuming.
“I have chosen longlining because it makes it easier to ensure high quality. It requires a bit of effort, and it’s much more expensive than using gillnets, which are cheap to operate, but it improves the quality”, says Daniel Lauritzen.
In addition, he only delivers fish and king crab to Lerøy Norway Seafoods in Kjøllefjord and have never delivered to anyone else!
“He is a fantastic ambassador for the fishing industry, one who makes a real effort to raise quality. He really deserved to win the prize this year”, says Raimo Sørensen, Manager of the Kjøllefjord factory.
Read more: Fisher of the Year
