Move will broaden food distributors’ network reach for seafood.

While many restaurants in New York have shut down for the duration of the coronavirus, this has not put off Baldor Specialty Foods.

It’s one of the largest wholesale importers and distributors of fresh produce and specialty foods in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions and acquired the asset purchase of Pierless Fish, the company has announced in a press release.

Founded in 1999 by Long Island native, Robert “Bobby” DeMasco, Pierless Fish has supplied New York City’s chefs and restaurants with fish.

“This is exciting news for Baldor, its employees, and partners, and we would like to extend a warm welcome to our new colleagues at Pierless Fish,” said TJ Murphy, CEO of Baldor Specialty Foods. “This purchase deepens Baldor’s commitment to bring only the best and freshest ingredients to our customers, and we know Bobby and his team at Pierless will make a fantastic addition to our growing line of products.”

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Pierless Fish will continue to run its operations independently out of its facility in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park. It sells many species including Scottish salmon fillets as well as Cambridge House branded smoked salmon.

“Baldor’s distribution network and impressive infrastructure is going to broaden the reach of our premier seafood and get it into the hands of restaurants and chefs who might otherwise never discover the quality products Pierless Fish has to offer,” said Robert DeMasco, the seafood company’s founder. “Like Baldor, we’ve always focused on securing the highest quality, sustainably-harvested products, so this purchase is a perfect fit for all.”

Baldor Specialty Foods President Michael Muzyk said that he was excited by the road ahead: “Historically, Baldor has strengthened its business by having strong and direct relationships with our farmers and we are now excited to apply that same approach to the seafood industry.”