From Ocean to Plate in 24 Hours: How KB Seafood Co Delivers Freshness Nationwide

Freshly caugh lobster tails cooked with slice of lemon on platter

When it comes to seafood, quality isn’t just about the catch - it’s about how efficiently it’s delivered to your plate. At KB Seafood Co, we’ve spent nearly a century mastering that journey. With advanced infrastructure and a passionate team behind every product, we’ve built one of Australia’s most efficient and responsive seafood supply chains. Our national network enables us to provide high-quality, responsibly sourced seafood to supermarkets and retail partners in every capital city - often within just 24 hours.

A National Network Built for Scale and Speed

One of KB Seafood Co's defining achievements in 2024 was the completion of our national processing network. The opening of our Queensland facility finalised a multi-year strategy to enhance our operational footprint across Australia.

"We finalised the nationalisation of our factory network by opening the Queensland facility in January. We can now hit every capital city within 24 hours," says Tim Storey, CEO of KB Seafood Co.

Each site plays a specific role:

  • Perth – Servicing the Western Australian market and handling live and fresh seafood
  • Melbourne – Delivering to Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania
  • Queensland – Covering Queensland and New South Wales

With six-day-a-week logistics and temperature-controlled transport, we’ve created a dependable supply chain Australians can count on - regardless of geography or season.

Total Supply Chain Control: From Catch to Kitchen

What sets KB Seafood Co apart is the level of oversight we maintain across every touchpoint of the seafood journey. Our vertically integrated supply chain ensures stringent standards, exceptional quality control, and greater transparency. This includes:

  • Sourcing – Decades-long partnerships with local and international fisheries that meet rigorous sustainability and ethical standards
  • Processing – Conducted in cutting-edge facilities that follow Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) protocols
  • Warehousing & Distribution – Real-time logistics systems and refrigerated infrastructure keep product quality intact across long distances
  • Retail Coordination – Strong relationships with major supermarkets allow us to plan collaboratively and optimise product performance in-store

This infrastructure and discipline empower us to move quickly, scale efficiently, and support our partners with reliable, high-volume seafood solutions. For consumers, this means they can trust that the seafood on their plate is consistently safe, high-quality, and responsibly sourced.

MAP Technology: Elevating Shelf Life and Quality

As part of our commitment to innovation, KB Seafood Co has embraced Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP)—a revolutionary advancement in food preservation. This technique replaces oxygen in packaging with a precise blend of gases, significantly extending product shelf life without compromising flavour, colour, or texture.

It’s a win for everyone - retailers experience less spoilage and better stock rotation, while customers enjoy extended usability and consistent eating quality.

"MAP is more than packaging innovation - it’s a quality guarantee," says Tim Storey. "We’ve invested heavily in MAP to support our retail partners with a fresher, longer-lasting product."

Currently used across our chilled seafood offerings in major supermarket chains, MAP gives KB Seafood Co a competitive edge in a crowded marketplace.

The People Behind the Process

KB Seafood Co’s operations are powered by more than 325 staff across Australia. From sourcing and production to supply chain and retail partnerships, our people are at the heart of everything we do.

“The key to our success is our people. Culture isn’t something you buy - it’s something you build,” says Tim Storey.

In 2024, that culture helped deliver standout results, including being named Woolworths Food Co’s Produce and Protein Supplier of the Year. Our supply chain team in particular received praise for their excellence in stock management, forecasting, and customer delivery.

This award is more than just recognition - it’s a reflection of how seriously we take quality, service, and trust across every department.

A Sustainable Approach to Seafood

Sustainability at KB Seafood Co is grounded in responsibility, transparency, and continuous improvement.

Where possible, we partner with certified fisheries and aquaculture operations, such as those accredited by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC). Across all products, we prioritise traceability, responsible sourcing, and reducing environmental impact.

Our broader sustainability initiatives include:

  • Ongoing efforts to grow our range of certified sustainable seafood
  • Minimising waste through improved forecasting, logistics, and packaging solutions
  • Using recyclable and lower-impact packaging wherever feasible
  • Maintaining compliance with all relevant Australian and global seafood standards

We believe that by being transparent about where we are today, we can build stronger trust with our partners and customers - and continue making measurable progress for the future.

Scaling for the Future

With our infrastructure now complete, KB Seafood Co is entering a new growth phase. The Queensland facility alone increased its monthly capacity tenfold within the first year. Across the full network, our target is to hit 40,000 tonnes annually by 2026.

This growth is underpinned by our dual-brand strategy:

  • KB’s, exclusive to Coles, offers convenient, high-quality options for Australian families.
  • Just Caught and Just Cook, exclusive to Woolworths, provide variety and value for health-conscious consumers.

By tailoring our retail offerings to the needs of each partner, we’ve been able to expand shelf presence and deepen customer engagement.

"The hard work’s done now. It’s about volume, value, and driving outcomes," says Storey.

From Heritage to Innovation

Founded in 1926 as a family-run fish shop in Perth, KB Seafood Co has grown into one of Australia’s largest and most trusted seafood businesses. Our story is one of evolution - from traditional fishmongering to pioneering modern supply chain systems and product innovation.

As we approach our 100-year milestone, we remain committed to delivering excellence, every step of the way. Whether it’s a crumbed prawn cutlet for a weeknight meal or a premium tuna steak ready to cook, our goal is simple: make quality seafood accessible, sustainable, and truly enjoyable.