Trident Seafoods has officially finalized the sale of its facilities in Petersburg to E.C. Phillips & Son Inc.
Both companies announced on March 15 that they had entered into negotiations for Trident’s processing plant, bunkhouse, galley, and two housing units in Petersburg. But they didn’t cinch the deal until April 3.
According to an updated press release, Trident CEO Joe Bundrant said that the company sought buyers who would “share Trident’s values, take great care of our fleet and employees, and integrate themselves into the community.” Bundrant said E.C. Phillips & Son met those criteria, making the company “a great fit for Petersburg.”
Representatives from E.C. Phillips & Son did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication, and Trident Seafoods declined to comment further on the sale.
Trident announced in December that it was selling four of its Alaska-based plants, in the wake of turbulence in the Alaska seafood market. The details about how the sale might affect the upcoming fishing season are unknown, but Trident’s press release said Petersburg’s fleet might enjoy a longer season under the new banner. That’s because E.C. Phillips & Son has year-round seafood processing operations
E.C. Phillips & Son operates out of Ketchikan and Craig, and was established almost a century ago, in 1926.
At their regular meeting on April 1, Petersburg’s Borough Assembly passed an ordinance to assign Trident Seafoods’ lease at 301 Harbor Way to E.C. Phillips and Son. The reassignment was conditional, because the two companies were still in negotiations at that time. The ordinance passed unanimously, with all present assembly members in favor.
