Canadian senator and entrepreneur Joseph P. Landry founded Cape Bald Packers in 1948. From its inception as a single processing plant employing 30 people, Cape Bald Packers has expanded into a primary processor of Atlantic lobster, snow crab and PEI Mussels. Operations include three processing facilities in the Canadian Maritimes and over 700 employees. While Cape Bald Packers/Downeast Specialty Products has evolved in stages, the company has continued to maintain Joseph Landry's original philosophy of business: "If you make a top quality product, charge a fair price and above all maintain integrity, business will come."
Having operated Cape Bald Packers as a small scale, high quality lobster processing operation for over forty years, Mr. Landry decided in the early 1990's to significantly differentiate his company from the mainstream practices of the Maritime lobster and crab industries. His first step was to open a sales office in the United States, Downeast Specialty Products, and to recruit Donald D. Kenney to serve as the President of the new division and to assist in navigating Cape Bald Packers through a series of changes. Processing facilities were renovated and production methods overhauled to reflect an increasing focus on customer sensibilities toward product quality. It was at this time that the company focused on building the Downeast brand, a group of products that set the industry-wide bar for integrity and consistency. In addition, Cape Bald Packers/Downeast established direct distribution partnerships with some of the largest and most respected seafood distributors and food purveyors in North America. As Mr. Landry's vision became reality, the company prospered. Cape Bald Packers/Downeast has assumed a position of industry significance and leadership, with the Downeast label becoming synonymous with the finest quality lobster and crab products in the world.
Today as ever, the commitment to excellence continues at Cape Bald Packers and Downeast, under the helm of its third management team since its inception. In 2014, Cape Bald Packers added a third fully owned processing facility in the Canadian Maritimes, located in Richibucto-Village (New Brunswick). In line with its continuous improvement philosophy, the company now holds BRC grade AA certifications at all of its three plants.
The passion, dedication, and vision that the many hardworking employees of Cape Bald Packers and Downeast have contributed since 1948 will live on, as the company charts its course toward a bright and exciting future in the seafood industry.
