Hawesta-Feinkost Hans Westphal GmbH & Co KG

What Hawesta-Feinkost Hans Westphal GmbH & Co KG does

Hawesta-Feinkost Hans Westphal GmbH & Co KG is a German fish delicatessen company founded in 1909 by Hans and Maria Westphal in Schlutup (Lübeck). It manufactures and sells canned and preserved fish products — primarily herring fillets in various sauces (Tomaten-Creme, Mexiko, Toskana, Pfeffer-Creme, Balkan, Zwiebel), tuna in oil/broth and flavoured tuna salads (Milano, Mexico, Asia), brathering (marinated fried herring), smoked mackerel fillets, and ready-to-eat Thunfisch Bowls and THUN-NO vegan tuna salads. Production is consolidated at a single site in Sassnitz on Rügen, using gentle steam cooking, hand-filling of fish into cans, and traditional recipes; administration is based at Hamburg harbour.

The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Thai Union Group PCL (Thailand), acquired via Rügen Fisch GmbH in 2009, with Thai Union gaining full ownership in May 2021. Hawesta sells exclusively through German stationary retail trade — supermarket chains and independent grocers — and does not operate a direct-to-consumer online store. All fish is MSC-certified and all tuna carries the Dolphin Safe label; 99% of packaging is recyclable, compostable, or reusable. The company employs 11–50 people and is managed by Dr. Sven Massen and Romain Zarzavadjian as Geschäftsführer.

The business model is straightforward branded CPG: manufacture finished shelf-stable fish SKUs, distribute through German grocery retail at unit-level retail pricing (e.g., €2.59 per 110g can), and capture margin on premium-positioned, sustainably certified products. Brand and heritage (100+ years, historical German market leader) form the core commercial asset, with parent-group capital and Thai Union's SeaChange® sustainability programme providing operational and reputational backing. Marketing is anchored in an owned recipe platform, healthy-eating editorial content, and active Facebook and Instagram channels rather than direct e-commerce.

Name

Hawesta-Feinkost Hans Westphal GmbH & Co KG

Legal name

Hawesta Feinkost Hans Westphal GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://hawesta.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1909

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hawesta is a 115-year-old German fish delicatessen brand producing canned herring, tuna, mackerel, and brathering products, sold exclusively through German stationary retail. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Thai Union Group via Rügen Fisch GmbH.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Canned and Preserved Fish Delicatessen

NAICS

Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging (311710)

SIC

Canned, Frozen & Preservd Fruit, Veg & Food Specialties (2030), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Canned Meat, Poultry & Seafood Manufacturing (AFAKACAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Shelf-Stable/Retort Prepared Meat & Seafood Meals (AFANAFAE)

Keywords

• Canned fish products
• Fish delicatessen
• Preserved seafood
• Herring specialities
• Tuna canned products

Headquarters

HQ city

Lübeck

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Fish and seafood product sales: Hawesta generates revenue through the manufacture and sale of premium canned and preserved fish products including herring, tuna, mackerel, and brathering. Products are sold to consumers via stationary retail trade (supermarkets, independent grocers) across Germany. The company does not operate a direct-to-consumer online store.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Hawesta manufactures and sells premium canned and preserved fish specialities — primarily herring, tuna, mackerel, and brathering (marinated fried herring) — under the Hawesta brand. Products are produced in Germany (Sassnitz) using gentle steam cooking, hand-filling, and traditional recipes, and are sold exclusively through stationary retail (supermarket chains and independent grocers) across Germany. The company does not operate its own online shop.

Product overview

Hawesta-Feinkost Hans Westphal GmbH & Co KG is a German fish delicatessen company founded in 1909, headquartered in Hamburg. The company produces a diversified portfolio of canned and preserved fish products, primarily organized around herring, tuna, mackerel, and brathering (marinated fried herring) product lines. The core product offerings include: (1) Herring products - extra tender herring fillets in various sauces (Tomato Cream, Mexico, Tuscany, Pepper Cream, Balkan, Onion); (2) Tuna products - tuna fillets in various preparations (broth/ Aufguss, olive oil, sunflower oil), flavored tuna preparations (Basil, Chili), and tuna salads (Milano, Mexico, Asia); (3) Ready-to-eat meals - THUN-NO vegan tuna salads and Thunfisch Bowl products with grains/pasta; (4) Brathering products - breaded and marinated fried herring; (5) Mackerel products - smoked and in tomato sauce. The company is a 100% subsidiary of Thai Union Group and has won the MSC Award for Herring Brand of the Year 2025.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Thun-No: Vegan tuna salad products launched in 2024 as plant-based alternatives to traditional tuna.

Products and services

• Extra zarte Heringsfilets in Tomaten-Creme Extra tender herring fillets in a fruity tomato cream sauce; MSC-certified, gluten-free, lactose-free, hand-placed. A core retail SKU for German consumers, used on toast or in recipes.
• Extra zarte Heringsfilets in Mexiko-Sauce Extra tender herring fillets in a Mexican-style sauce with onions, peppers and corn; MSC-certified and hand-placed. Designed for consumers seeking a spicier, internationally flavoured herring product.
• Extra zarte Heringsfilets in Toskana-Sauce Extra tender herring fillets in a Mediterranean tomato sauce refined with oregano; hand-canned, rich in natural Omega-3 fatty acids. Targeted at consumers preferring Mediterranean-style flavours.
• Extra zarte Heringsfilets in Pfeffer-Creme Extra tender herring fillets in a pepper cream with aromatic green peppercorns; hand-placed, MSC-certified. Targets consumers seeking a creamy but mildly spicy herring product.
• Extra zarte Heringsfilets in Balkan-Sauce Extra tender herring fillets in a Balkan-style sauce of tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, peppers and celery; MSC-certified, rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. Targets consumers seeking a hearty, lightly spicy flavour.
• Extra zarte Heringsfilets in Zwiebel-Sauce Extra tender herring fillets with aromatic onions in a finely spiced tomato sauce; MSC-certified, naturally rich in Omega-3 and a natural protein source. One of Hawesta's flagship retail SKUs.
• Thunfisch Filets in Aufguss (Tuna Fillets in Broth) Tuna fillets in broth (Aufguss), MSC-certified and Dolphin Safe; available in 160g cans and various multi-pack sizes. Sold for use in salads, pasta salads, pizza, and vegetable dishes.
• Thunfisch Filets in Olivenöl (Tuna Fillets in Olive Oil) Tuna fillets in high-quality olive oil; MSC-certified and Dolphin Safe, ideal for Mediterranean salads, pasta, pizza and sandwiches. Sold in 160g cans.
• Thunfisch Filets in Sonnenblumenöl (Tuna Fillets in Sunflower Oil) Tuna fillets in sunflower oil; MSC-certified and Dolphin Safe. Versatile canned tuna SKU for general culinary use.
• Thunfisch Basilikum (Tuna Basil — Low Oil) Tender tuna with fresh basil, refined with just a touch of extra virgin olive oil; light enough to enjoy directly without draining. Natural high-quality protein (25g per 100g); MSC-certified and Dolphin Safe.
• Thunfisch Chili (Tuna Chili — Low Oil) Tender tuna with a fine spicy chili note, refined with the right amount of extra virgin olive oil; ready to open and enjoy without draining. Natural high-quality protein; MSC-certified and Dolphin Safe.
• Thunfisch Salat Milano (Tuna Salad Milano) Italian-inspired tuna salad with Mediterranean vegetables (white beans, zucchini, tomatoes, peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, black olives); MSC-certified, Dolphin Safe, gluten-free, lactose-free; a natural protein source.
• Thunfisch Salat Mexico (Tuna Salad Mexico) Mexican-style tuna salad with bold, spicy flavours; MSC-certified and Dolphin Safe. Part of Hawesta's regional flavour profile product line.
• Thunfisch Salat Asia (Tuna Salad Asia) Asian-style tuna salad used in wrap recipes with peanut dressing; part of Hawesta's international flavour profile product line.
• THUN-NO (Vegan Tuna Salad) Plant-based vegan tuna salad alternatives, available in multiple varieties; designed to offer a sustainable, environmentally friendly alternative to traditional canned tuna while supporting ocean protection.
• Thunfisch Bowl mit Cous Cous, Linsen und Harissa Ready-to-eat tuna bowl with couscous, lentils and Harissa; 19.8g protein per package. Positioned for quick lunches in the office, after sports, or on-the-go.
• Thunfisch Bowl mit Pasta, Bohnen und Oliven Ready-to-eat tuna bowl with pasta, green beans and black olives; 17.8g protein per bowl. Mediterranean-style meal solution for office, after-sport or on-the-go consumption.
• Bratheringsfilets in feingewürzte Marinade (Breaded Herring Fillets in Seasoned Marinade) Golden-brown fried herring fillets in a finely seasoned marinade; classic German brathering delicacy, hand-prepared for an honest, hearty flavour.
• Bratheringe in feinwürziger Marinade (Fried Herring in Spiced Marinade) Classic German fried herring (Bratheringe) in a finely spiced brandy vinegar marinade with onions and a touch of tomato; a traditional fish delicacy.
• Geräucherte Makrelenfilets in feinem Rapsöl (Smoked Mackerel Fillets in Rapeseed Oil) Smoked mackerel fillets in fine rapeseed oil; classic German canned fish product, MSC-certified, naturally rich in Omega-3.
• Makrelenfilets in Tomaten-Sauce (Mackerel Fillets in Tomato Sauce) Mackerel fillets in tomato sauce; classic German canned fish product, MSC-certified, naturally rich in Omega-3.
• Bücklingsfilets geräuchert in Öl (Smoked Buckling Fillets in Oil) Smoked Bückling (lightly salted then hot-smoked over beechwood herring) fillets in oil; traditional German fish delicacy.

Quantifiable outcome

• All Hawesta products are free from artificial colourings and preservatives
• +3 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Thai Union GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Since January 2016, the majority stake of the Rügen Fisch Group (parent of Hawesta) belongs to Thai Union Group, one of the world's largest producers of fish and seafood. In May 2021 Thai Union acquired the remaining 49% of Rügen Fisch Group, gaining full ownership of Hawesta, Rügen Fisch, Lysell and Ostsee Fisch brands.
• Rügen Fisch GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2009In September 2009, Hawesta Feinkost became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rügen Fisch GmbH. Following the acquisition, significant investment was made in production, packaging and technology. Rügen Fisch itself became majority-owned by Thai Union Group in January 2016, with Thai Union acquiring the remaining 49% in May 2021.
• MSC (Marine Stewardship Council)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHawesta is a committed supporter of the Marine Stewardship Council, the world's leading certification programme for sustainable fishing. All Hawesta fish and seafood comes exclusively from MSC-certified fisheries. The MSC environmental standard ensures sustainable fish stocks, minimal bycatch and protection of marine habitats.
• SeaChange® Programme (Earth Island Institute)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHawesta participates in the SeaChange® programme of its parent company Thai Union, which aims to drive concrete improvements in the global fish and seafood industry through sustainability initiatives, protecting marine ecosystems for future generations.
• Dolphin Safe Programme (Earth Island Institute)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAll Hawesta tuna products carry the Dolphin Safe certification label, guaranteeing dolphin-friendly fishing methods for tuna. This programme was initiated by the non-profit Earth Island Institute in 2001 to prevent dolphin deaths in tuna nets.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Connétable: French premium canned sardine and tuna brand also owned by Thai Union — directly comparable as a sister-brand canned fish label sold through European retail with similar MSC/sustainability positioning.
• Fish Tales: Dutch premium canned fish brand offering MSC-certified tuna, sardines, mackerel and salmon — directly comparable in sustainability-led premium canned seafood positioning and European supermarket distribution.
• King Oscar: Norwegian-origin premium canned fish brand (now Thai Union-owned) — comparable premium canned tuna/sardine/mackerel positioning with sustainability credentials, targeting similar health-conscious European and global retail consumers.
• Saupiquet: Leading French canned fish brand (owned by Bolton Group) offering tuna, sardines, mackerel and shellfish in similar canned/preserved formats — directly comparable in product category, European supermarket distribution, and target consumer.
• Rügen Fisch GmbH: Sister brand under the same parent (Rügen Fisch GmbH / Thai Union), producing smoked fish, brathering, marinated herring and other German fish specialties from the same Sassnitz facility — directly comparable in product mix, customer base and distribution model.
• Petit Navire: Iconic French canned fish brand owned by Thai Union — directly comparable canned tuna/sardine portfolio sold through French and European supermarket chains under a heritage brand identity similar to Hawesta.
• Mare D'Oro: Italian premium canned tuna and seafood brand (part of the Thai Union portfolio) — comparable in canned seafood product structure, premium retail positioning, and Mediterranean European consumer base.
• Cento: Broad-line Italian-American packaged seafood and specialty food brand with deep canned tuna, sardine, anchovy and clam ranges — directly comparable in canned seafood category, retail distribution, and shelf-stable product structure.
• Arroyabe: Spanish premium canned seafood brand offering tuna, anchovies, sardines and shellfish with MSC and sustainable sourcing credentials — directly comparable in premium canned fish positioning and European retail distribution.

Regional players

• Followfish: German sustainable seafood and convenience brand with a strong sustainability/MSC narrative in the same German retail environment — comparable in sustainability-led German fish positioning but more oriented to fresh and frozen rather than canned.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/hawesta.feinkost
• Instagraminstagram.com/hawesta.feinkost/?hl=de

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hawesta-Feinkost Hans Westphal GmbH & Co KG