The Story
Vesteraalens was established in 1912. Known in Norway for producing the iconic canned fishballs. We supplied the famous polar explorer, Roald Amundsen, with provisions for his expeditions one century ago. Our headquarter is located in the city of Sortland in the northern part of Norway, one of the world’s richest fishing fields.
In 2012 the company went in a new direction. Based on sustainable harvesting of fresh marine raw materials from the arctic waters of Northern Norway, we decided to expand our business into the marine ingredients market. Today we serve customers all over the world with the highest quality Omega 3 oil. Our oil is found in a number of product applications such as bread/breadmix, medical nutrition, sports nutrition, human supplements and infant formula.
Today Vesteraalens is an innovative seafood, marine ingredients and supplement company operating in both the B2B and B2C sectors. Vesteraalens operates in a new state-of-the art factory of 15.000 square meters. In 2017 we were awarded the number one growth company in Northen Norway. A cross-industry award that financial growth and the ability to innovate and export products internationally.
We produce a wide variety of both seafood products, marine ingredients and now also supply supplement products to the B2C sector. Our client base is spread all over the world including North America, Europe and Asia.
Vesteraalens mission is to, through an extensive network of partners, build the world leading value chain for white fish. Our cooperation stretches from tight partnership with the fishing vessels, through the receiving stations and all the way to formulation work and design of finished consumer products together with our customers.
Our goal is to satisfy demanding customers’ craving for seafood of optimal quality and thorough documentation. The products must be manufactured with a minimum of energy consumption, without artificial additives, and must be traceable throughout the entire value chain, from the catch to the finished product going out to the customer. All activity must be based on respect for fishing quotas and regulations that the authorities lay down for fisheries. One general goal is that the entire fish shall be used in edible products and other applications.
Vesteraalens Canned Fishballs
ROOTED IN INNOVATION.
BRANDED THROUGH CULTURE.
Dating back to the very beginning establishing a cannery in the Northern Norway in 1912 was not an expected move. The company was viewed as an innovative company for its strategies and bold mindset. The company established their production facilities in Sortland harbor, where they did everything from soldering their own cans to harvesting their own raw materials. Vesteraalens with its bold and innovative strategy of both product design and sales and marketing methods moved a little against the flow and norms of their time, being a bit ahead of time.
Today, Vesteraalens Canned Fishballs stands out with increasing sales in an otherwise declining market for canned foods, while many other brands in the market moved to greater use of plastic packaging.
The Norwegian people have been making a signature dish with our product for centuries. Vesteraalens Fishballs in white sauce with carrot and bacon, try it – and you will not regret it. Since the very beginning in 1912 there have been numerous products in the canned seafood family, but our beloved fishballs in the green and yellow can has been a lasting flagship product for over 100 years.
Click the button below to read more about our flagship product and the diverse history of “the great balls of Vesteraalens”.
Vesteraalens Arctic Ingredients
SUPERIOR COD LIVER OIL TO THE WORLD
In 2012 Vesteraalens went in a new direction. Based on sustainable harvesting of fresh marine raw materials from the arctic waters of Northern Norway, we decided to expand our business into the marine ingredients market. Today we serve customers all over the world with the highest quality Omega-3 oil. Low oxidation are important for demanding customers. Our oil is found in a number of product applications such as bread/breadmix, medical nutrition, sports nutrition, human supplements and infant formula.
Vesteraalens AS is one of the very few vertically integrated producers of Omega-3 oils. In our production of cod liver oil we are controlling and monitoring all processing steps from the crude to the finished oils.
Vesteraalens oil-products comes from a fishery that has been independently certified to the MSC’s standard for a well-managed and sustainable fishery. www.msc.org
Vesteraalens Hermetikkfabrikk
A HISTORY IN THE MAKING
The tale of Vesteraalens’ adventure begins in 1912. Throughout all these years, Vesteraalens has produced seafood products of superior quality. The iconic green-labelled can containing fish balls has been the company’s flagship product, loved by Norwegians for more than a century.
In 1917, Vesteraalens was contacted by the famous Arctic explorer Roald Amundsen, who needed food supplies for his polar expedition. Roald Amundsen was a pioneer in understanding the nutrition requirements to be able to survive under harsh conditions. Vesteraalens was commissioned to produce supplies for Roald Amundsen’s expedition through the Arctic Northeast Passage in 1918–1922.
Among the most dramatic events in the history of the factory was the fire that began on 12 December 1991, which resulted in a shutdown of the factory lasting 15 months. The owner at the time, proposed moving seafood production and establishing it permanently in Sweden, but permission was not granted. Local owners bought the factory and production was reestablished 19 March 1993.
A TRAVEL TROUGH TIME
