In a plan to strengthen operations with renewed investments in the organization’s infrastructure, East Coast Seafood Group, Topsfield, Mass., announced the relocation of its live lobster packing facilities in Groton, Conn., effective Jan. 17.

The impending consolidation is the next step in a unique industry partnership between East Coast Seafood and Garbo Lobster, Topsfield, Mass. The lobster companies aligned in 2012 with their acquisition of a 100,000-square-foot facility in Prospect Harbor, Maine, which facilitated the return of substantial lobster processing back to the region.

To date, the partnership has created hundreds of additional jobs in the local communities and across the lobster industry.

Growth plans for the company include substantial new investments to the Prospect Harbor facility to increase production capacity, optimize the production process and enhance labor needs.

Most of the work being carried out at the Groton operation will be absorbed into the Prospect Harbor location, with the remainder shifting to the company’s new state-of-the-art lobster processing line in New Bedford, Mass. The newly expanded facility and processing equipment is said to be one of the most advanced processing lines in the industry. The new processing line will create over 100 jobs.

“The company is dedicated to making a positive impact for the people that live and work along the coast, and is proud to have created meaningful employment in rural communities throughout North America. We thank the hardworking employees at the Groton facility and the Groton community for the support over the many years,” says Brad Hudson, chief executive officer of East Coast Seafood Group. “Our commitment remains steadfast with the knowledge that our customers rely on us to bring smart innovations to their table. This has always been our culture, and we’ve worked hard to put a successful plan in place for 2019 and many years to come. Evolution is a crucial part of sustaining strong partnerships, for today and the future.”