Canada-based High Liner Foods Inc. announced plans to cease production at its leased manufacturing facility in Malden, Mass., to reduce excess capacity across its U.S. manufacturing facilities. The lease of this facility expires in December.  Following cessation of the plant's operations, the company's manufacturing footprint in North America will consist of four owned and operated plants—three in the United States (Portsmouth, N.H.; Newport News, Va.; and New Bedford, Mass.) and one plant in Canada (Lunenburg, NS).

"The company recognizes this is a difficult day for the employees who work at the Malden plant and their families. High Liner Foods has been operating this facility since acquiring Viking Seafoods in 2010, and we were extremely fortunate to have inherited such a dedicated and hard-working team of employees," says Keith Decker, president and COO. "While the decision to cease production at one of our facilities has been difficult, it is necessary to ensure High Liner Foods' continued ability to grow and compete in a highly competitive and price-sensitive marketplace.  Fifty full-time employees currently work at the Malden facility, some of whom will be moved directly to positions at other facilities, and the remaining employees will have the opportunity to apply for open or new positions at our Portsmouth and New Bedford facilities."

Operations at the Malden plant are scheduled to cease by the end of the second quarter of 2015. This plant is currently the company's most under-utilized manufacturing facility with annual production of approximately 11.5 million pounds that is being transitioned to the company's New Bedford and Portsmouth facilities.