A major seafood processing company that began with a single vessel operating out of Kodiak in 1973 marked its 50th anniversary on Jan. 31, celebrating all those who helped Trident become the largest vertically integrated seafood firm in the nation.
“At our core, we are a people business, and what sets us apart is how we care for each other,” said Joe Bundrant, chief executive officer of the company, and son of the late Chuck Bundrant, who would have celebrated his 81st birthday on Jan. 31. “My father’s vision for combining talented people, lasting relationships and quality seafood from fleet to fork is central to how we do business and is embodied in our mission and values.”
Starting back in 1973, Trident set a new precedent for the crabbing and fishing industry by catching, processing and freezing king crab onboard the same ship. The company’s ready to heat and eat products sold nationwide, including Costco warehouse stores, range from salmon and cod burgers to surimi, pollock fish sticks and smoked salmon jerky. Other popular Trident products include Wild Alaska Salmon Oil.
Trident today remains a privately held, 100% American company based in Seattle, with global operations in six countries, serving customers in over 50 countries. The company has some 9,000 employees worldwide and partners with more than 5,400 independent fishermen and crewmembers.
Species harvested and processed by Trident include almost all commercial species of salmon, whitefish and crab harvested in the North Pacific and Alaska. Trident’s global supply chain also includes cultured and wild species from a network of sources worldwide.
The company operates a fleet of modern offshore vessels, shore-based primary processing operations and independent fleet support services in coastal communities throughout Alaska. The company has value added facilities in Anacortes, Bellingham and Everett in Washington, Motley in Minnesota and Carrollton in Georgia, plus a research and development and innovation center in Seattle, and shipyards in Tacoma and Seattle.
Trident also has international sales offices and value-added processing plants in Japan, China, Germany, Netherlands, France and Latin America.
Joe Bundrant, born in Kodiak, Alaska, grew up in the family business. In addition to his work with Trident, he serves on several industry boards and associations, including At-Sea Processors Association, Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers, Harvester CEO Council, Pacific Seafood Processors Association and the Processor CEO Council. He is also an active member of the National Fisheries Institute and the S-Corp Association.
Bundrant and his wife Mary, the parents of five children, live in Richmond Beach, Washington.
Correction: A previous version of this article identified one of the Trident facilities as being in New Mexico. That facility is in Motley, Minnesota.
