ORBE
ORBE is a third-generation, family-owned Spanish canned seafood manufacturer producing ~180,000 cans daily across 400+ SKUs from Ponte Caldelas, Galicia, serving B2C, HORECA, private-label retailers, and distributors in 50+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1941
- HeadquartersPontevedra, Spain
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What ORBE does
ORBE (legal name Orbe, S.A.) is a third-generation, family-owned Spanish canned seafood manufacturer headquartered in Ponte Caldelas, Galicia. Founded in 1941 by Daniel Vicente and operated continuously since, the company produces approximately 180,000 cans per day across more than 400 product references spanning tuna, bonito, mussels, squid, clams, sardines, and other Atlantic seafood, marketed under the ORBE main brand and the premium La Selecta Gourmet sub-brand. Since 2016, under third-generation CEO Juan José Vicente Álvarez, production has been consolidated in a modern 8,000+ sqm facility featuring artificial-vision quality control, AI-supported process optimization, smart logistics with temperature and traceability monitoring, and renewable energy infrastructure (250 solar panels plus a pellet boiler with up to 90% efficiency). Headcount stands at approximately 120–135 employees, predominantly female and largely drawn from the surrounding Ponte Caldelas area.
The business operates across four interlocking revenue streams: direct-to-consumer e-commerce via orbesa.com within Spain; HORECA (hotels, restaurants, bars) sales through a dedicated professional product line; private-label/white-label manufacturing for major retail chains across Europe and internationally; and direct export to distributors in more than 50 countries, with the USA accounting for approximately 15% of total production (€6M) and a 60/40 domestic-to-international revenue split. Pricing is unit-based for retail (€4.50–€8.50 per SKU, with tripacks at €48–€58 and bulk boxes up to €96.50) and quote-based / multi-year contract for B2B private label and HORECA channels.
Go-to-market combines enterprise field sales for international accounts, event-driven demand generation through major trade shows (ANUGA Germany, PLMA Amsterdam, ADIFE Abu Dhabi) and CLUSAGA/IGAPE-organized trade missions, and direct digital marketing via the company website, Instagram (@orbeconservas), YouTube, recipe content, and local sports sponsorships (Balonmano Porriño, San Miguel C.F., Club de Remo Vilaxoán). Public-sector support from IGAPE funds a dedicated internationalization manager, and the company is actively pursuing geographic expansion into Japan, Africa, the Middle East, and India while broadening its premium gourmet range.
ORBE firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ORBE
- Legal name
- Orbe, S.A.
- Website
- https://orbesa.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1941
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- ORBE is a third-generation, family-owned Spanish canned seafood manufacturer producing ~180,000 cans daily across 400+ SKUs from Ponte Caldelas, Galicia, serving B2C, HORECA, private-label retailers, and distributors in 50+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where ORBE is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pontevedra
- HQ country
- Spain
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
ORBE business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Direct Product Sales (B2C): Direct sales of canned fish and seafood products to consumers through e-commerce website. Products include tuna, mussels, squid, sardines, octopus, and specialized gourmet line La Selecta Gourmet.
- Private Label/White Label Manufacturing: Development of private label projects for major retailers, adapting to specific customer needs in formats, recipes, and presentations. Participation in PLMA trade show for private label opportunities.
- HORECA Sales: Sales to hospitality sector (restaurants, hotels, bars) through dedicated product line for professional use.
- International Export: Export sales to over 50 countries worldwide. Major markets include USA (15% of production), Germany, Puerto Rico, Latin America. 40% of total revenue from international sales vs 60% domestic.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Retail consumer pricing through e-commerce |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | HORECA professional channel |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Multi-year contract | Private label/B2B wholesale |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
ORBE product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ORBE manufactures and sells canned fish and seafood products, including tuna, bonito, mussels, squid, clams, sardines, octopus, and razor clams in oils, escabeche, and natural formats, under its main ORBE brand and premium La Selecta Gourmet sub-brand. The company produces approximately 180,000 cans daily across 400+ product references at its Ponte Caldelas facility, selling through consumer e-commerce, HORECA professional channels, private label partnerships, and exports to 50+ countries.
Product overview
ORBE is a canned fish and seafood manufacturing company founded in 1941 in Galicia, Spain. The company operates two product lines: the main ORBE brand offering standard canned seafood products (tuna, bonito, mussels, squid, clams, sardines) in various formats (oil, escabeche, natural); and the premium La Selecta Gourmet sub-brand featuring artisanal, hand-selected gourmet products including ventresca of Bonito del Norte, stuffed Atlantic squid, octopus, and premium mussels from Rías Gallegas. The company produces approximately 180,000 cans daily and offers over 400 product references across both brands.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- La Selecta Gourmet: Premium/conserva exclusiva product line featuring higher-end canned seafood products including Bonito del Norte, Chipirones, Pulpo, Navajas, Mejillones, Ventresca, and Sardinillas in premium formats
Products and services
- ORBE main brand canned seafood
- La Selecta Gourmet
- HORECA professional product line
- Private label / white label manufacturing
- International export distribution
- ORBE ECOLÓGICA organic line
Quantifiable outcome
- 85 years of continuous operation since 1941
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use ORBE
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
ORBE technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Feature5 records
ORBE partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- CLUSAGA (Clúster Alimentario de Galicia)coreCLUSAGA organized a reverse trade mission bringing Japanese food importers to visit ORBE facilities. The visit enabled exchange of information about potential introduction of ORBE preserved seafood products to the Japanese market.
- Balonmano PorriñominorORBE is a major sponsor of Balonmano Porriño, accompanying the club in its growth and celebrating achievements including a historic European final in 2025.
- San Miguel C.F.minorORBE sponsors San Miguel C.F. of Oia for over 10 years, providing jersey sponsorship and supporting grassroots football development.
- Club de Remo VilaxoánminorORBE sponsored the first edition of the I Bandera Conservas Orbe de bateis rowing regatta in Vilaxoán, with 102 boats participating from clubs across the province.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
ORBE competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Bolton Food (Rio Mare, Saupiquet): Italian-headquartered seafood division of Bolton Group with major canned tuna brands (Rio Mare, Saupiquet). Comparable in canned seafood manufacturing and export, with larger scale and global brand recognition.
- Jealsa (Jealsa Rianxeira): Major Galician canned seafood manufacturer with global distribution. Comparable canned fish/seafood products and private label capabilities, with substantially larger scale and broader international reach.
- Thai Union Group: World's largest canned tuna company (Chicken of the Sea, Bumble Bee, John West). Comparable in canned seafood manufacturing and global export, but vastly larger scale and publicly listed.
- Grupo Calvo: One of Europe's largest canned tuna and seafood producers, headquartered in Galicia. Directly comparable product portfolio (canned tuna, mussels, sardines) with much larger scale, broader global distribution, and stronger retail relationships.
Direct peers
- Frinsa: Spanish canned seafood manufacturer producing tuna, sardines, mackerel, and shellfish with strong private label and branded offerings. Direct competitor in canned seafood with similar product mix and B2B/private label focus.
- Conservas Pescamar: Spanish canned seafood producer with operations in Vigo, Galicia. Directly comparable canned fish and shellfish products, with emphasis on export markets similar to Orbe's 50+ country footprint.
- Garavilla (Isabel / Cuca): Galician canned seafood producer known for brands Isabel and Cuca. Direct competitor in the same Galician canned seafood category with similar product portfolio and export orientation.
- Conservas Cambados: Galician canned seafood manufacturer specializing in shellfish (clams, mussels, cockles). Directly comparable in artisanal canned seafood from Galicia with similar export profile.
Emerging players
- Conservera Peninsular (Bonilla): Spanish canned seafood brand with growing premium positioning. Comparable in artisanal canned seafood product line and brand-led market approach, with smaller scale than Orbe.
Regional players
- Pinhal da Torre (Pinhais): Portuguese artisanal canned seafood producer with premium positioning. Comparable in preserving tradition, premium canned seafood offerings, and Iberia-rooted branding, but Portuguese rather than Spanish.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ORBE social profiles
Digital presenceORBE financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ORBE leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
ORBE funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ORBE M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ORBE
What does ORBE do?
ORBE manufactures and sells canned fish and seafood products, including tuna, bonito, mussels, squid, clams, sardines, octopus, and razor clams in oils, escabeche, and natural formats, under its main ORBE brand and premium La Selecta Gourmet sub-brand. The company produces approximately 180,000 cans daily across 400+ product references at its Ponte Caldelas facility, selling through consumer e-commerce, HORECA professional channels, private label partnerships, and exports to 50+ countries.
Is ORBE a public or private company?
ORBE is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was ORBE founded?
ORBE was founded in 1941. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is ORBE based?
ORBE is headquartered in Pontevedra, Spain, in the Europe region.
How does ORBE make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Direct Product Sales (B2C) is the primary driver. The others are private Label/White Label Manufacturing, HORECA Sales and international Export.
Who are ORBE's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Bolton Food (Rio Mare, Saupiquet), Jealsa (Jealsa Rianxeira), Thai Union Group and Grupo Calvo. Direct peers are Frinsa, Conservas Pescamar, Garavilla (Isabel / Cuca) and Conservas Cambados. Conservera Peninsular (Bonilla) is listed as an emerging player. Pinhal da Torre (Pinhais) is listed as a regional player.
Does ORBE have an API?
No public API is recorded for ORBE.