Leading value-added processor displaying fast advance on export markets

Saint-Petersburg-based OAO ROK-1 (plc) (Fish Processing Combine No.1), one of the nation's leading value-added processors, has developed into an important exporter of ready-to-eat seafood. The goods are in particular manufactured under the private labels of many Russian and foreign companies with the range of more than 150 items supplied to Australia, the Netherlands, Israel, Italy, the USA, France and Check Republic, according to the report of the company's Director of Marketing Ms. Polina Druzhinina prepared for the Second International specialized conference "Strategic Challenges on Russia's Seafood Market" (organizers http://www.imperiaforum.ru/).

ROK-1 is the largest fish processing company in the Russian Northwest with the annual output of more than 45,000 tonnes of products.

The combine is a high-tech facility fitted with the most up-to-date equipment made by the world's leading manufacturers. According to Druzhinina, some of their equipment has no analogues in Russia. The company's facilities in the city of Saint Petersburg and on the territory of Leningrad Oblast surrounding Saint Petersburg with the total workforce of more than 2500 people have boosted their product range to ca.300 seafood items and enabled the company to remain at the leading positions on the seafood market in 14 food groups:

• hot and cold smoked fish in bulk;
• salted fish in bulk;
• hot smoked fillet rolls;
• smoked and salted fish in vacuum packs;
• fish sets' beer snacks;
• chilled fish;
• salmon caviar;
• surimi-based products - crab sticks and meat;
• frozen convenient fish;
• fish spreads and snacks;
• laminaria salads;
• marinated fish in oil and various marinades;
• canned fish;
• shellfish and mollusks.

ROK-1 is the only fish processor in Saint Petersburg which has its own quality control laboratory accredited by the Centre of State Sanitary and Epidemiological Control.

ROK-1 is one of main suppliers of the largest Russian and international retail chains such as METRO Cash & Carry, Auchan, Lenta, Magnit, OKEY, Paterson, Perekrestok, Pyaterochka, Ramstor, Sedmoy Kontinent, etc.

The combine's products have got HACCP international certificate. The company is an official partner of the Norwegian Seafood Export Coucil (NSEC) and an associated member of the Russian-Finnish Chamber of Commerce.

According to the results of 2005, League of Entrepreneurs' Trade and Merchants' Club of Saint Petersburg have awarded ROK-1 with the title of the best partner of retail traders.

ROK-1 has got a large label portfolio and it keeps working to expand its product range and strengthen its positions both on the domestic and on the international markets.