Icelandic fishing gear group Hampiðjan is reported to have acquired a controlling stake in Faroese company P/F Vón, the parent company of Faroese fishing gear group Vónin.
Hampiðjan has acquired a 73.38% stake in P/F Vón, and is reported to have placed a bid for a further 21% share in the company.
Vón is the parent company of Vónin in the Faroe Islands, Vonin Refa in Norway and UAB Vonin in Lithuania. The seller is Klaksvík company Sp/f Kerið. The purchase is reported to be subject to approval by competition authorities.
Hampiðjan has its own strong roots in Iceland, with its headquarters, netloft and a network of depots and workshops around the country, as well as a manufacturing division in Lithuania and branches around the world. Managing director Hjörtur Erlendsson has commented that Vónin has been a competitor they have always had a great respect for, and there are no plans to make changes to Vónin’s production in Fuglafjörður and Klaksvík.
Vónin managing director Hjalmar Petersen commented to Portal.fo that Vónin and Hampiðjan have long recognised the potential for co-operation and now they will be working closely together. For Vónin the opportunities are there to reach new markets and there are strengths in purchasing jointly.
‘By joining forces, these two companies are among the strongest in the north Atlantic,’ he said. ‘This is good for competition and service to customers.’
