FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Homer, AK (April 3, 2023) — US-based e-commerce seafood retailer Wild Alaskan Company announced today that it has acquired one hundred percent of custom processor Home Port Seafoods. Home Port will continue to operate as a standalone business under Wild Alaskan ownership.
Wild Alaskan’s acquisition of the value-added processor positions the e-commerce company to better meet the growing demand for its products, expand its product offerings and develop new sales channels beyond its current direct-to-consumer model.
Founded in 1992 by Glen (aka Benny) and Jeanne Binschus, Washington state-based Home Port Seafoods services a wide range of food service and retail customers. Christie Benson, the daughter of Glen and Jeanne, has served as Home Port’s vice president since the late 1990s. Benson has overseen Home Port’s day-to-day operations since the mid-2000s. Post acquisition, Benson will continue to oversee Home Port’s daily operations as the company’s new CEO. Home Port’s existing management team and staff will continue to report to Benson.
“Home Port is excited to join forces with Wild Alaskan. They’ve been a key customer of ours for years. We have a great working relationship. This partnership is a natural next step for both companies,” Benson said.
Founded in 2017 by Arron Kallenberg, Wild Alaskan Company is a direct-to-consumer, e-commerce company that delivers wild-caught, sustainable seafood to members nationwide.
“We recognize that catching, processing, and selling fish are distinct endeavors, each with unique challenges and opportunities,” said Arron Kallenberg, Founder and CEO of Wild Alaskan Company. “But the reality is that Wild Alaskan has reached a scale where we can no longer afford not to be in the processing business. We wanted to partner with someone who knows that world like the back of their hand. We’re honored that Benny and Jeanne trust us with the amazing legacy they’ve built.”
“It’s been a pleasure to watch Christie take the helm and build so many relationships within the industry,” said Glen Binschus. “We’re excited to see where the next generation takes the business from here.”
The acquisition gives Wild Alaskan Company access to Home Port Seafoods’ expansive network of food service and retail customers.
“We’re excited about growing Home Port’s existing production capacity, value-added capabilities and customer base,” said Kallenberg. “We’ve learned a lot about the American seafood consumer over the years. We look forward to applying those learnings to provide Home Port’s customers with more product offerings and turnkey solutions.”
About Wild Alaskan Company
Wild Alaskan Company is a public-benefit corporation focused on introducing more people across the country to wild-caught, sustainable seafood. Founded in 2017 by Arron Kallenberg, the direct-to-consumer company combines his family’s three generations of history and expertise in the Alaskan seafood industry with proprietary e-commerce marketing and logistics technology.
About Home Port Seafoods
Home Port Seafoods, a third-generation seafood processor based in Bellingham, Washington, was founded in 1992 by Glen and Jeanne Binschus. The company filets, vacuum packs, freezes, labels, and packages millions of pounds of seafood a year. They provide value-added and custom processing services to a wide variety of retail and food service customers.
