Acme Smoked Fish Corp., Brooklyn, N.Y., opened what is said to be the nation’s largest cold smoked salmon facility.

The 100,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility located in Wilmington, N.C., was built to initially produce 10 million pounds of cold smoked salmon per year.

Strategically located to complement Acme’s existing locations in Brooklyn, N.Y., and Pompano Beach, Fla., the facility will serve as a platform for Acme to accommodate future growth and sales opportunities in the smoked seafood category, both domestically and internationally, while still remaining connected to its Brooklyn roots.

“As the latest advancement in our plan for sustained, long-term growth, this expansion gives us an opportunity to offer a wide variety of high-quality smoked seafood products to customers around the world,” says Adam Caslow, managing partner. “We’re thrilled to utilize the skills and traditions honed in Brooklyn—the epicenter of smoked fish—and expand upon them to develop the world’s most advanced cold smoked fish facility.”

The new Wilmington facility uses the most modern manufacturing technologies available while continuing to meet and exceed current Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) requirements, as well as internal quality management programs. In alignment with its emphasis on food safety, Acme built custom parts and equipment for hygienic design and ease of cleaning. The company also maintains optimal freshness and the highest quality standards ensured via unit operation process flows dedicated for salmon production.

Acme is also expanding its commitment to manufacturing operations by adding a facility in Chile. The Acme-Chile division will give Acme’s U.S. smoking operations the unique advantage of being in complete control of its raw material.

“Extensive research has proven that raw material plays a monumental role in the assurance of quality and safe smoked salmon, which is why we added the Chile facility,” says Gabriel Viteri, vice president of strategy and business development. “This advantage, in addition to our food safety standards and particular emphasis on being Listeria-free, will help us maintain our reputation as industry leaders in the smoked seafood category in the U.S., and position us as industry leaders in the category worldwide.”  

Acme Smoke Fish produces smoked and cured seafood under the Acme, Blue Hill Bay, Ruby Bay and Great American brands.