P&P Group moves forward without the Van der Plas family

After nearly 75 years, the Parlevliet & Van der Plas Group is continuing without the Van der Plas family. Their shareholding has been transferred to the Parlevliet family. “The transition has taken place in good harmony, and the mutual desire to safeguard stability for employees, customers, and suppliers has been of great importance,” the company stated. “PP Group will continue with respect for its traditions and confidence in the future.”

A growing fishing empire

The share transfer marks an important moment in the history of the Katwijk-based family business, which began in the 1950s as a herring trade. In 1959, the first ship, the KW 171 ‘Jan Maria,’ was launched. The fleet expanded further in 1967 with the addition of the first freezer trawler, the KW 170 ‘Annie Hillina.’ Traditionally, the ships are named after members of both the Parlevliet and Van der Plas families.

Over the course of nearly 75 years, the PP Group has grown into a major international player, with locations ranging from Poland to Madagascar. Its operations span pelagic fishing, whitefish and shrimp fishing, tuna fishing, and fish processing. The company’s revenue is around 1.6 billion euros, and it employs approximately 8,500 people worldwide.

New ships and a new CEO

Since the beginning of this year, Dirk-Jan Parlevliet, son of former CEO Diek Parlevliet, has taken the helm as the company’s new CEO. The fleet continues to expand: in 2024, the BX 793 ‘Jan Maria’ was added for the German subsidiary Nordbank Hochseefischerei in Bremerhaven. Soon, the Dutch freezer trawler KW 172 ‘Annie Hillina,’ measuring 111 meters in length, will follow.

The company has also scaled back some activities. For several years, the Euro Baltic factory in Sassnitz, Germany, has ceased processing fish. Last year, the fish processor Profish Food in Twello quietly closed its doors. Meanwhile, the Van der Plas family has shifted its focus to other ventures, including real estate.

Visserijnieuws.nl