Schwan’s Company and the tru Shrimp Company, an affiliate of Ralco have announced a strategic partnership designed to help propel in-land shrimp production forward. As part of the new partnership between the Minnesota-based companies, Schwan’s Company is making a significant investment in the tru Shrimp Company. Terms of the partnership have not been disclosed.

tru Shrimp CEO Michael Ziebell views the agreement as a major step forward for in-land shrimp production. “The Schwan’s Company investment completes the capital footing of tru Shrimp and fuels our plans to full speed. Work is progressing on every aspect leading to the production and marketing of safe and abundant shrimp,” says Ziebell.

Both companies said the partnership will generate opportunities to work together in providing consumers with safe, natural shrimp. Jon and Brian Knochenmus of tru Shrimp have also invited Schwan’s Company to designate a member to join the board of directors.

“We have been watching with great interest the concept and the progress that was being made by tru Shrimp. At Schwan’s, we are intrigued and excited about the possibilities of inland shrimp production and view this as an excellent opportunity to provide consumers with a predictable and traceable supply of nutritious shrimp,” said Schwan’s Company CEO Dimitrios Smyrnios. “We are also proud to work with tru Shrimp as it develops its core business in our hometown of Marshall to the benefit of the southwest Minnesota area.”

Ralco President and CEO Brian Knochenmus said it is a rare opportunity for two companies with global distribution from southwest Minnesota to share such similar missions and values. The similarities make the partnership a perfect fit, he said.

“We are eager to be a part of this strategic relationship with Schwan’s Company. This is our first opportunity to collaborate, and they are a proven company that brings great market insight and capabilities to assist the growth and development of tru Shrimp,” said Knochenmus. “Schwan’s Company recognizes the potential of what tru Shrimp is doing, and the impact it will have not only domestically but also internationally.”

An initial point of cooperation between the companies is the renovation of available manufacturing space in Marshall owned by Schwan’s. The space will be converted into the first shrimp-processing facility. There is a memo of understanding to lease the facility located in the Marshall Industrial Park to house the processing and packaging of shrimp for the market. tru Shrimp is also working through the details of locating a shrimp hatchery in Marshall.

The Marshall Economic Development Authority (EDA) has been working diligently for years to ensure the epicenter of tru Shrimp take root in Marshall. This work has been confirmed by the partnership between the two companies.

“These are two companies who have built their businesses in Marshall for several decades and it is great to see Schwan’s Company and Ralco working together. Anytime you have two companies in the same community working together on a project that has this kind of economic development potential, it is a big win for Marshall and the region,” said Marshall EDA Director Cal Brink.