Clearwater Seafoods wins Rabobank Innovation Award

BEDFORD, NS, Dec. 9, 2014 /CNW/ - Clearwater Seafoods received the Rabobank Innovation Award presented on December 4 at a reception hosted by the financial institution in New York City. The Innovation Award is one of three awards presented by Rabobank North America Wholesale to leading food and agriculture companies for their dedication to innovation, sustainability and leadership.

"It's a great honor to be recognized for our commitment to innovation," said Ian Smith, CEO, Clearwater Seafoods. "Innovation has played a key role in the success of Clearwater's growth strategies from advanced technology, to sustainable harvesting and new product development."

The Rabobank awards stem from its beliefs around what food and agriculture companies must do to be competitive in the long run. It is a cycle of knowing how to be innovative in their space so they can be competitive, looking at their business models to see how they can be sustainable in terms of growing their business and protecting the environment, and making smart investment decisions to keep this cycle going. Clearwater met the mark on all three deciding factors.

"Since starting anew with Clearwater in 2012, we continue to be impressed by management's ability, with a scarce wild catch resource, to grow revenue, EBITDA and shareholder value, through innovation in not only harvesting, but product development and marketing as well," said Rajiv Singh, CEO, Rabobank North America Wholesale. "We are thrilled to partner with Clearwater and happy to award them for their impressive achievements." 

About Rabobank
Rabobank Group is a global financial services leader providing wholesale and retail banking, leasing, and real estate services in more than 40 countries worldwide.  Founded over a century ago, Rabobank today is one of the largest banks in the world, with nearly $1 trillion in assets, and ranks among the 10 safest banks globally.  In the Americas, Rabobank is a premier bank to the food, agribusiness and beverage industry, providing sector expertise, strategic counsel and tailored financial solutions to clients across the entire food value chain.

About Clearwater Seafoods
Clearwater Seafoods (TSX:CLR) is one of North America's largest vertically-integrated seafood companies with over 1,400 employees in offices, plants and vessels around the world. The Bedford, NS company operates from 'ocean to plate,' owning fishing quotas, vessels, processing facilities, and providing delivery to customers worldwide. It's recognized globally for its wild-caught and premium-quality scallops, lobster, clams, coldwater shrimp and crab. Since its founding in 1976, Clearwater has invested in its resource ownership and management to sustain and grow its wild seafood resource. This commitment has established Clearwater as a global leader in sustainable seafood excellence.

SOURCE: Clearwater Seafoods Incorporated

Christine Penney, VP of Sustainability and Public Affairs, [email protected], [phone]