GFC

Kenai River Seafoods is a boutique processor that has a unique ownership.  Five of the six owners are well-established, commercial seafood harvesters from the Kenai Peninsula.   The remaining owner, Sean Crosby and his wife Karin have made a career of quality control - specific to Alaska's wild fisheries.   As a result, it is not surprising that Kenai River Seafoods focuses on quality over quantity.

(Pictured Left) Rich Thompson (left) and Dan Thompson (right), harvester/investor/owners.

The boutique processor has a solid reputation with their customers who express strong loyalty to the Kenai River and Kenai Wild Brand.      This loyalty is founded in the people and the community that stands behind the small processor.

The drift, gill-net fishermen-owners have pride in the fish they harvest and had a history of direct marketing.   Now, the ownership and operation of the plant provides them the chain of custody of their own harvest and added pride in the fact that their harvest goes to their customers in the condition, consistent with their expectations of a quality food manufacturer.     

This business model has proved to be successful for the Kenai River Seafoods commercial buyers who are assured confidence in the delivered product.   The buyers know first hand the harvesters, inspectors and plant managers who are all stakeholders in retaining that confidence.   The harvesters are fishing families that have deep roots in Alaska and on the Kenai Peninsula. Now that there is a owner/operated processing plant where they can focus their mutual resources - the business and owners are creating a new seafood community.    

We reported last year that Kenai River Seafoods had been selected to exclusively produce the Kenai Wild brand in 2008 and that agreement continues today.    Kenai Wild is the regional brand that was established to support sustainability of fishing families.  It was a pioneer in consistent quality and handling that continues today.   Kenai River Seafoods has already chalked up success stories of its own to that same end of supporting the health of its coastal community.    Beyond the owners, those working at the processor during the harvest/processing season are all Alaskans.    The plant has been successful, due to its reputation, to hire locally and all are Alaskans, with many from the local area.

While the work is long hours, Kenai River Seafoods and its owners work hard to keep a family orientation.   Karin Crosby, QA Manager, gives great credit to Rich and Willow King, one of the owner-operators for creating a family environment for the harvesters and processing staff, both during the season and throughout the winter.      She notes, "The business has a family orientation that is creating a community that has value to all of us - including our commercial buyers and our supply chain partners."    We all take pride in local sourcing to support our plant and seeing our product in local commercial establishments, as well as promoted in regions around the US and in locations overseas.   There is great pride in the people to people connection between the harvest and the end consumer for this business. 

Currently, the owner/operators use the winter season to upgrade their skills and collaborate with their commercial buyers.     Recently Karin Crosby participated in the Alaska Seafood Processors Leaders Institute, allowing her to bring back to the company new knowledge.      Through the process, Karin recognized that continuing education and training is an absolute must for those seeking to provide their markets the best quality supplier.

The 100+ years of experience in harvesting and processing of its owners and their personal involvement tightens up the chain of custody of the Kenai River Seafoods product.  Customers know the faces of those who have touched their product and due to the size and business model of Kenai River Seafoods, the product is simply handled less often - a key to seafood quality.

The season opens soon and will remain open through late August.

Sean and Karin Crosby

Kenai River Seafoods

(877) 434 -7449